Islamabad, November 15, 2023 : The Federal Cabinet has granted approval to amendments in the Hajj Policy 2024, allowing children below the age of ten to be eligible for performing Hajj.
Under the leadership of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the Federal Cabinet has also resolved to return the unused quota from both government and private Hajj Schemes to the Saudi Government. Additionally, a comprehensive monitoring system, compliant with Saudi laws, will be established to oversee the financial aspects of Hajj group organizers.
Flexibility will be introduced concerning the conditions for Hajj Scheme pilgrims aged over 80 years. However, private Group Organizers will be required to enter into agreements with pilgrims to enlist local attendants during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
This specific provision will be incorporated into the service provision agreement, and Hajj Group Organizers found in violation will face fines and inclusion in a blacklist.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has sanctioned a decrease in the hardship Hajj quota. It has been determined that fifty percent of local facilitators will consist of Pakistani students enrolled in Saudi universities, and they will be appointed as welfare staff.
It is worth noting that the Federal Cabinet, in a prior meeting, had formed a committee to enhance the Hajj Policy 2024 further, and the recent amendments have been implemented based on the committee’s recommendations.
The cabinet has granted permission to impose a 40 percent tax on the windfall profits earned by banks in 2021 and 2022.
Furthermore, the meeting has sanctioned the addition of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Kyrgyzstan to the business visa list. Additionally, the approval was given to include nine individuals on the Exit Control List (ECL) and remove 18 others from the ECL.
The cabinet has endorsed a budget of 267.59 million rupees for the Jammu and Kashmir State property for the ongoing fiscal year. It directed the drafting of an insurance document related to the ratification of the Hong Kong International Convention 2009, ensuring the safe and environmentally friendly recycling of ships.
Moreover, the cabinet granted an exemption for the procurement of 200,000 metric tons of urea from the international market, waiving Rule No 8, 13, 35, 38, and 40 of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Rules 2004. Additionally, the cabinet has given its approval for Bilateral Investment Treaties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
