ISLAMABAD: Care­ta­ker Minister of Religious Affairs Aniq Ahmed has announced that Haj Policy 2024 has been prepared and will be presented to the federal cabinet within 10 days.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mr Ahmed acknowledged that numerous challenges had arisen as a result of delay in the Haj policy last year.

He added that the policy would include 40-day Haj, as well as a short-term pilgrimage options.

“Haj pilgrims will be given two suitcases of specific colour and design with a QR code on them so that they are not lost,” Mr Ahmed said, adding that the name, passport number, residence, school number and other information will be fed into the suitcases.

Pilgrims will be given suitcases of specific colour and design with a QR code on them

Mr Ahmed further mentioned that, for the first time, Haj pilgrims will receive a special mobile package.

The caretaker minister of religious affairs confirmed that a contract has been formally concluded with a mobile phone company in Saudi Arabia, allowing Pakistani pilgrims to utilise mobile phones for audio and video calls without incurring roaming fees.

He specified that an extra fee of Rs4,000 would be applied for the mobile package.

“Haj pilgrims will now be able to stay in touch with their families in Pakistan at all times,” he added.

“The overall cost of the Haj package will be deci­ded later,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023