ISLAMABAD, April 28: The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr is considering starting registration of tour operators and group organizers for Haj-2005.

"Those registered will be required to follow Saudi government's instructions for Haj-2005," Haj Joint Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, A.R. Abid, said here the other day.

"We have received instructions from the Saudi government for tour operators and group organizers for the forthcoming Haj," he added. Giving details, he said the organizers must have a licence issued by the authorities concerned and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to run travel and tourism business.

"Such licenses must be endorsed by the Embassy or Consulate of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia located in the country in which the organizer is licensed," he added. "The organizer must also have necessary financial resources and ability to comply with all requirements, including the ability to deposit the required amount of money and to make the necessary payments on services as described in these regulations," he further said.

He said the minimum number of pilgrims for each organizer was 50 pilgrims and the maximum number was 600. -APP