In a recent press conference following the Hajj pilgrimage, Talha Mehmood, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, made several important declarations regarding Pakistan’s Hajj quota and expenses.
He excitedly announced that Pakistan’s Hajj quota had been increased to over 179,000. He also disclosed that beginning the following year, US dollars rather than Pakistani rupees would be used to collect Hajj expenses.
The 160,000 Pakistani pilgrims who triumphantly completed their Hajj journey received Minister Mehmood’s sincere congratulations. He praised the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s efforts and expressed his happiness that there had been no incidents throughout the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage in Jamarat.
Additionally, he emphasised how happy most pilgrims were with the arrangements overall.
The minister disclosed that although he was invited to perform the Hajj as an official guest, he had chosen to perform it as a regular person instead. He also spoke with the Saudi minister about the difficulties that Hajj pilgrims face and was given assurances that these problems would be resolved in the future.
Minister Mehmood reiterated that he would continue to adhere to his unwavering policy of forbidding anyone from performing the Hajj for free. He proudly proclaimed that as a minister, he had personally paid for his own Hajj expenses and had even travelled with other Pakistani pilgrims, demonstrating his dedication to standing by their sides during the revered journey.
