ISLAMABAD: On Friday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony decided to allot a 25% special quota in the government Hajj scheme to pilgrims who pay their dues in US dollars.
Friday, government sources informed APP that under the new Hajj regulation, intending pilgrims who pay their fees in U.S. dollars will be exempt from the balloting.
In light of the country’s present foreign exchange reserves, the ministry will implement a “Sponsorship Scheme” that will help around 22,400 pilgrims.
In addition to overseas remittances in U.S. dollars, Hajj expenses could be paid for with foreign remittances in dollars, according to the sources.
They reported that the Ministry of Finance had suggested it would be unable to secure $2 billion for the Hajj due to a lack of foreign exchange liquidity.
The sources reported that the religious ministry has upped the Hajj quota for private operators from 40% to 50%, with the possibility of further increases in light of a protracted foreign exchange liquidity shortage.
According to them, the ministry will charge each pilgrim Rs1.1 million under the government system, but the Hajj expenses could jump to Rs1.3 million if the rupee continues to depreciate.
The sources added that the Saudi Arabian government was increasing the Hajj tax rate from 18% to 20%.
