Nearly 180,000 Pakistanis to perform Haj in 2025

The federal cabinet has endorsed the Haj Policy 2025 for one million pilgrims including 180,000 Pakistani intending to perform the holy haj this year. The policy brings about radical changes, such as 50-50 government and private schemes besides putting into practice the ban of children under the age of 12. A new system of Nazim will be introduced at the sites of Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Mina, with one Nazim for every 100 pilgrims.

The Road-to-Makkah facility will be provided at Islamabad and Karachi airports to ease the journey of pilgrims. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has therefore launched a Haj Management App, meant to ease the journey and training of the pilgrims. Also, the policy raises the payment for the heirs of deceased pilgrims from Rs 1 million to Rs 2 million; the pilgrims who got injured will be supported with Rs 1 million.

The prime minister has provisioned 1000 seats for the hardship and 300 for the laborers and very low-paid employees who are registered under the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution or Workers Welfare Fund. Under the government scheme the selection shall be made by the computerized balloting and preference will be given to those applicants who were not selected in the previous year.

There is approval for the decision of the State Bank of Pakistan to cut the policy rate down to 15 percent for different sectors. It has been pointed out by Prime Minister Sharif that this cut is going to reduce the debt by Rs1.3 trillion and make large fiscal space for the country. In addition, the government is seeking foreign relations with delegations that can help foster partnerships in mining and minerals as well as the development of an IT workforce in partnership with Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan is also trying to forge a closer relationship with Azerbaijan to sign MoUs that would amount to $2 billion. The government is going to announce a power relief package for the winter season which is an indication that the government is with the common man and at the same time it will not let the economy go haywire.