ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The expenses of the intending Haj pilgrims has been doubled to enable them to meet expenditures during their stay in Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Joint Secretary Mohammad Ilyas Khan said on Wednesday.

“Now the government will pay from 1300 to 1600 riyals to the intending pilgrims to enable them meet miscellaneous expenses during Haj,” he told PTV.

The decision had been taken to enable the pilgrims to buy sacrificial animals and other requirements, he said.

Explaining reasons for a slight increase in Haj expenses, he said the Saudi government had restricted per person space from 3 to 3.5 meters and certainly the price of dollar had also increased.

Most of the pilgrims like a building near Haram Sharif which was of high rent. Additionally some buildings near Haram Sharif had been demolished for extension causing shortage of buildings, he added.

However, buildings sufficient for accommodating 60,000 pilgrims had already been hired. Out of which, 50 per cent were near Haram Sharif.

Replying to a question, he said a system had been put in place to monitor private tour operators, he said, adding that licenses of 21 private tour operators had been cancelled.—APP