ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noor ul Haq Qadri on Saturday said that hajj would be more expensive this year if the Saudi Arabian government allowed it amid Covid-19, because of arrangements that could avoid spread of the pandemic.
The government might reach to the private sectors for hajj Packages due to the high cost, said Noor ul Haq Qadri.
“Moreover, the Pakistan’s Hajj Directorate is in continuous contact with the Saudi Arabia Hajj Secretariat and Saudi Arabia will soon announce whether they would permit any country for Hajj in 2021 or not,” he said.
However, the increase in Hajj costing was due to the implementation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures, he maintained.
Furthermore, Qadri has relayed through a letter to the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination about procurement of coronavirus vaccine as pilgrims will be administered the vaccines before their departure, if Saudi Arabia allows Hajj.