‘Hajj quota for Pakistani pilgrims increased’

Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammed Saleh bin TaherBentin in a meeting in Jeddah decided that the number of pilgrims from Pakistan visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj will rise to 179,210 in 2017.

Arab News, quoting a press release, reported that a formal agreement to this effect will be signed later. Religious Affairs Secretary Khalid Masood Chaudhry, Pakistan Ambassador Manzoorul Haq and Hajj Director General Syed Sajid Yousafani also attended the meeting.

The Pakistani minister visited Saudi Arabia with the aim of finalizing the Hajj arrangements and other issues relating to Hajj 2017. He held talks with top Saudi officials. The minister appreciated the last year’s Hajj arrangements.

“We congratulate King Salman for the successful Hajj operations in 2016.” He also thanked the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister for his support in increasing the quota for Pakistani pilgrims.

During talks with Pakistan’s delegation, the Saudi minister said that Pakistani Hajj office played an important role in Hajj preparations with their Saudi counterparts. He also congratulated Pakistan’s Hajj authorities for their efforts in ensuring the success of Hajj operations and providing excellent services to pilgrims.