THIS refers to Haj subsidy. The government should restore its subsidy for only those pilgrims who apply for the first time and their age bracket is 50 plus.

People who are over 50 and are going for the first time means they had no financial means to apply earlier. Then we have people who are 80 plus and still have not performed Haj. They may also be awarded subsidy.

A person who is going for the second or third time for Haj should not be awarded subsidy.

The ministry concerned should convince the masses through the media to perform Umrah and Haj at a young age soon after marriage. People from Malaysia and other Muslim countries prefer to perform Haj and Umrah soon after their marriages.

In Pakistan, it has been observed that people do not bother and do not save money for this purpose.

Instead, even lower middle and middle class people spend money lavishly on dowry and wedding functions. If we have simple weddings and save money, couples may plan for Umrah soon after marriage.

When the government announced the withdrawal of the subsidy on Haj, there was a hue and cry in the media. On the other hand, we observe that most people waste money only to show off.

Therefore, the government should restore Haj subsidy only in some cases.

Shagufta Ansari
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2019