63% Increase in Hajj expenses: News & Discussions
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AZADPAKISTAN2009
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Haj is for rich well to do people , It is not for subsidy sponsored visitors
AZADPAKISTAN2009
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From my understanding on Matter every Muslim is requested to attempt to do Hajj but only if their financial situation enables them to do so.
It is not picnic party where you have no cash and then ask government to give you free money for your private peronal objectives
Even taking a loan and going to Hajj is not considered as a good practice (usure on that but I heard it is not good practice)
For some uneducated politicians (Showbaz) to encourage subsidy for people to go to Hajj is ridiculous suggestion
It is not picnic party where you have no cash and then ask government to give you free money for your private peronal objectives
Even taking a loan and going to Hajj is not considered as a good practice (usure on that but I heard it is not good practice)
For some uneducated politicians (Showbaz) to encourage subsidy for people to go to Hajj is ridiculous suggestion
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AZADPAKISTAN2009
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Sugarcane
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Govt. Shouldn't be giving subsidy on Hajj as obligation is for people who can afford it. But govt. can exempt the air-ticket for Hajj visit from taxes & surcharges and can provide Rials on central bank rates to Hajjis to reduce their burden.
Pak-Canuck
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Lot of things to consider here for many folks, it's not just black and white.
Yes Hajj is only mandatory for those who can afford it, however should give a subsidy in today's age? I think absolutely yes, it's a great example for other states to follow and would be a great service to help people perform an important journey.
THINK ABOUT THIS, any jew in any place in the world, if he is broke all he has to do is goto the Israeli embassy and they will sponsor him for a FREE religious trip to Israel (called Birthright trip) in which everything is paid for. That should be a service that we should have installed in our countries.
Also consider this, I went to Hajj in 2009, from Canada it cost me about $6000 all in all (visa, hotels, flights everything included), and that was the "middle class" package. We stayed at 2-3 star hotels which were right beside the Kaaba, Medina mosque etc. Nowadays my friend's and colleagues (some of whom have better paying jobs than me) cant even afford to go because of the prices, the minimum package now is like 10-12k, that is insane and I always wondered why. Until I went to Umrah recently then I found out why, literally all the cheap and moderate service hotels that were near the Holy places are all gone now, including the ones I stayed at. Now there are ONLY 5 star hotels and complexes everywhere near the Holy places, and all the cheap ones I think are atleast an hour-two hours's drive away and no service even bothers with them any more. Hajj has only become for the rich there and that is very unjust.
Yes Hajj is only mandatory for those who can afford it, however should give a subsidy in today's age? I think absolutely yes, it's a great example for other states to follow and would be a great service to help people perform an important journey.
THINK ABOUT THIS, any jew in any place in the world, if he is broke all he has to do is goto the Israeli embassy and they will sponsor him for a FREE religious trip to Israel (called Birthright trip) in which everything is paid for. That should be a service that we should have installed in our countries.
Also consider this, I went to Hajj in 2009, from Canada it cost me about $6000 all in all (visa, hotels, flights everything included), and that was the "middle class" package. We stayed at 2-3 star hotels which were right beside the Kaaba, Medina mosque etc. Nowadays my friend's and colleagues (some of whom have better paying jobs than me) cant even afford to go because of the prices, the minimum package now is like 10-12k, that is insane and I always wondered why. Until I went to Umrah recently then I found out why, literally all the cheap and moderate service hotels that were near the Holy places are all gone now, including the ones I stayed at. Now there are ONLY 5 star hotels and complexes everywhere near the Holy places, and all the cheap ones I think are atleast an hour-two hours's drive away and no service even bothers with them any more. Hajj has only become for the rich there and that is very unjust.
ziaulislam
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yes only if poor stop dying and kids stop working ..subsidy on hajj is ridiculous ....
You do know that govt money includes sale tax from the begger on streets buying bread..i doubt it even legal Islamic wise..but obviously Islamic council thinks otherwise
Sugarcane
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Govt. shouldn't be spending money on giving subsidy for Hajj when there are people who are dying of hunger, and don't have access to basic necessities of life. And in no way it have any right to spend Zakat fund for Hajj subsidy like last year government did. As I mentioned above, govt. can provide relief by removing taxes and surcharges on air tickets for Hajj and provide reasonable amount of Forex needed on CBI rate. That's it. But yes, when we have taken care of our poor than we can go for giving subsidies for Hajj or even Umrahs.
HAIDER
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The opposition parties in the Senate rejected the 63 per cent increase in Haj expenses and tabled a calling attention notice on Friday.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) submitted the notice. He expressed disappointment over the Haj policy and reminded the government that it had claimed to transform the country into a Madina-like state.
The senator said that the entire nation was worried about the policy. He added that the government should have provided some relief to people in the Haj cost. He said that the recent increase in Haj expenditure has pushed the religious obligation out of the people's reach.
The federal cabinet on Thursday announced the Haj Policy 2019 under which the cost of performing the ritual under the government scheme has been fixed at Rs456,426 (with Qurbani), against last year’s expense of Rs280,000 per person. Now, every individual will have to pay an additional Rs176,426.
Under the Haj Policy 2018, the cost of Haj for individuals in the north of the country was Rs280,000 and for the south, it was Rs270,000. However, in the new policy, the cost of Haj for individuals in the north has been fixed at Rs456,426 (with Qurbani) and Rs436,975 (without Qurbani), while for those in the south it is Rs446,426 (with Qurbani) and Rs426, 975 (without Qurbani).
Ahmed, on Friday, termed the move a "drone attack" and said that Haj has become a target of 'tsunami'. He regretted that the government didn't seek recommendation from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) before deciding on the matter pertaining to a religious obligation.
He said that introducing the new policy was tantamount to refraining people from performing Haj, adding that the government "should not invite ill wishes" of pilgrims.
"The government claiming to be a Madina state is refraining people from visiting Makkah and Madina," he said, claiming that the same government had announced to spend billions for restoration of cinemas.
He suggested that instead of spending billions of rupees for restoration of cinemas, the government should subsidise Haj.
PPP leader Raza Rabbani pointed out the absence of Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri in the ongoing session. He asked the treasury benches if the minister was angry. "Neither did he address the press conference on Haj policy [yesterday], nor has he responded in the Senate to the notice."
In yesterday's cabinet meeting, Qadri had reportedly walked out after his proposal for a subsidy of Rs45,000 per pilgrim was rejected by his fellow members of the federal cabinet. Sources said that Qadri was due to accompany the information minister at the press briefing.
The information minister, however, denied reports that Qadri was to be present at the presser.
Senator Shibli Faraz of the PTI told the Senate on Friday that the minister was not angry.
State Minister Ali Mohammad Khan responded to the notice, saying the government was standing by its stance of establishing a Madina-like state.
The minister clarified that 70 per cent of expenditures are made in Saudi Arabia and the government has no control over expenditures there. He further elaborated that expenses for accommodation, meals and other services have drastically been increased in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"The government has been trying to provide some relief," he said.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjarani suggested that provision of further subsidy to Haj pilgrims would be a better move.
Madinah model does not mean provision of free Hajj, says religious affairs minister
Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri also spoke to the media regarding the matter on Friday that "the Riyasat-i-Madinah model that the government keeps talking about is [a model that should] bring well-being to the people, the abolition of poverty, the [creation of] an educated society, development of infrastructure and the turning Pakistan into a welfare state."
"The Riyasat-i-Madinah [model] certainly does not mean sending people to Hajj for free and throw the nation's subsidy at it. [It does not mean] that those on whom [the pilgrimage is] mandated upon, do it using the peoples' money."
The minister did, however, say "yes, had it [a subsidy] been given, it would have been great."
Walkout over ministers' absence
Raza Rabbani recorded his protest over the absence of ministers from the session. He said that the opposition had demanded to ensure presence of the relevant minister over the issue of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. He accused the government of deliberately ensuring that the PMDC chairman doesn't appear before the Senate.
"[We] raised the issue of dialogue between the United States and [Afghan] Taliban but didn't receive any response," he said, adding that the Senate was being kept in the dark.
He added that Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), held a detailed interview on Jan 27, in which it appeared that he was well aware of all details [pertaining to the dialogues].
"Will you inform us about the details after culmination of the talks?" he asked.
Later, the opposition parties staged a walkout in protest against the absence of ministers. Following the walkout, the session was adjourned as the quorum was pointed out.
On Jan 25, the Senate chairman had shared same concerns and sought a reply from Prime Minister Imran Khan over the continuous absence of PTI ministers from Senate proceedings.
While Senate proceedings were underway, the chairman had instructed the Senate Secretariat to write a letter to the premier, informing him of the ministers' absence and inquiring as to why these lawmakers had not been attending the house's proceedings.
"The ministers have made a habit of not attending the Senate session," the chairman had said, adding that his dissatisfaction at the ministers' absence should be conveyed to the premier.
Earlier today, the Senate approved budget recommendations by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. Senator Farooq Naek presented the recommendations.
DAWN.COM
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) submitted the notice. He expressed disappointment over the Haj policy and reminded the government that it had claimed to transform the country into a Madina-like state.
The senator said that the entire nation was worried about the policy. He added that the government should have provided some relief to people in the Haj cost. He said that the recent increase in Haj expenditure has pushed the religious obligation out of the people's reach.
The federal cabinet on Thursday announced the Haj Policy 2019 under which the cost of performing the ritual under the government scheme has been fixed at Rs456,426 (with Qurbani), against last year’s expense of Rs280,000 per person. Now, every individual will have to pay an additional Rs176,426.
Under the Haj Policy 2018, the cost of Haj for individuals in the north of the country was Rs280,000 and for the south, it was Rs270,000. However, in the new policy, the cost of Haj for individuals in the north has been fixed at Rs456,426 (with Qurbani) and Rs436,975 (without Qurbani), while for those in the south it is Rs446,426 (with Qurbani) and Rs426, 975 (without Qurbani).
Ahmed, on Friday, termed the move a "drone attack" and said that Haj has become a target of 'tsunami'. He regretted that the government didn't seek recommendation from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) before deciding on the matter pertaining to a religious obligation.
He said that introducing the new policy was tantamount to refraining people from performing Haj, adding that the government "should not invite ill wishes" of pilgrims.
"The government claiming to be a Madina state is refraining people from visiting Makkah and Madina," he said, claiming that the same government had announced to spend billions for restoration of cinemas.
He suggested that instead of spending billions of rupees for restoration of cinemas, the government should subsidise Haj.
PPP leader Raza Rabbani pointed out the absence of Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri in the ongoing session. He asked the treasury benches if the minister was angry. "Neither did he address the press conference on Haj policy [yesterday], nor has he responded in the Senate to the notice."
In yesterday's cabinet meeting, Qadri had reportedly walked out after his proposal for a subsidy of Rs45,000 per pilgrim was rejected by his fellow members of the federal cabinet. Sources said that Qadri was due to accompany the information minister at the press briefing.
The information minister, however, denied reports that Qadri was to be present at the presser.
Senator Shibli Faraz of the PTI told the Senate on Friday that the minister was not angry.
State Minister Ali Mohammad Khan responded to the notice, saying the government was standing by its stance of establishing a Madina-like state.
The minister clarified that 70 per cent of expenditures are made in Saudi Arabia and the government has no control over expenditures there. He further elaborated that expenses for accommodation, meals and other services have drastically been increased in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"The government has been trying to provide some relief," he said.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjarani suggested that provision of further subsidy to Haj pilgrims would be a better move.
Madinah model does not mean provision of free Hajj, says religious affairs minister
Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri also spoke to the media regarding the matter on Friday that "the Riyasat-i-Madinah model that the government keeps talking about is [a model that should] bring well-being to the people, the abolition of poverty, the [creation of] an educated society, development of infrastructure and the turning Pakistan into a welfare state."
"The Riyasat-i-Madinah [model] certainly does not mean sending people to Hajj for free and throw the nation's subsidy at it. [It does not mean] that those on whom [the pilgrimage is] mandated upon, do it using the peoples' money."
The minister did, however, say "yes, had it [a subsidy] been given, it would have been great."
Walkout over ministers' absence
Raza Rabbani recorded his protest over the absence of ministers from the session. He said that the opposition had demanded to ensure presence of the relevant minister over the issue of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. He accused the government of deliberately ensuring that the PMDC chairman doesn't appear before the Senate.
"[We] raised the issue of dialogue between the United States and [Afghan] Taliban but didn't receive any response," he said, adding that the Senate was being kept in the dark.
He added that Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), held a detailed interview on Jan 27, in which it appeared that he was well aware of all details [pertaining to the dialogues].
"Will you inform us about the details after culmination of the talks?" he asked.
Later, the opposition parties staged a walkout in protest against the absence of ministers. Following the walkout, the session was adjourned as the quorum was pointed out.
On Jan 25, the Senate chairman had shared same concerns and sought a reply from Prime Minister Imran Khan over the continuous absence of PTI ministers from Senate proceedings.
While Senate proceedings were underway, the chairman had instructed the Senate Secretariat to write a letter to the premier, informing him of the ministers' absence and inquiring as to why these lawmakers had not been attending the house's proceedings.
"The ministers have made a habit of not attending the Senate session," the chairman had said, adding that his dissatisfaction at the ministers' absence should be conveyed to the premier.
Earlier today, the Senate approved budget recommendations by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. Senator Farooq Naek presented the recommendations.
DAWN.COM
HAIDER
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Interesting public comments...
ALI ASAD NAWAZ MALIK
about 6 hours ago
Haj is a religious obligation for only those who can afford it. Why should government or anyone else subsidize for it? I performed Haj on my own money through a private service provider. Government should not have any thing to do with this private obligation of an individual Muslim citizen.
Orakzai
about 6 hours ago
Life has come to halt in Pakistan
ABDUL MALIK KHAN
about 6 hours ago
Why should someone go to Haj on my tax? Well done Imran Khan for the decision.
AW
about 6 hours ago
It is unfair by any standards that government be expected to subsidize the cost of those going on haj from public exchequer. Haj is a religious obligation for those who can afford it. How and why should Government even be involved?
Iqbal
about 6 hours ago
Why should it be the responsibility of the government to subsidize people for Haj?
Was this the practice in Riyasat-e-Madina?
Why don’t people tap into GoFundMe type initiatives to let people donate towards someone’s Haj?
Alley Ali Syed
about 6 hours ago
I am a taxpayer and I don't want my money spent on someone performing Hajj. Use your own money. It's not government's obligation.
alliasa
about 6 hours ago
If you can not afford do NOT go. Besides who benefits? Saudi Arabia.
M.Mudassir Siddiqui
about 6 hours ago
Disagreed, every Country gives subsidy
Truth Teller
about 6 hours ago
Dear representatives of opposition parties/thieves!
In last two govt tenors what you people left in treasury to subsidize respected Hajies???
M. asghar
about 6 hours ago
The Senate's position is just demagogic and unjustifiable.
Naveed Anjum
about 6 hours ago
The Corruption & the money laundering left by previous Governments has reduced Pakistan to this state. You have to continue with tough measures for some time. You cannot have subsidy freebies all the time from the Government.
Ahmed bin Babar
about 6 hours ago
The government always leaves space for one probable u-turn..!
Yasio
about 6 hours ago
This is not an issue stop trying to win people while making it an issue
Rahul
about 6 hours ago
Haj is supposed to be performed with own money, why need subsidy?
Naxalite
about 6 hours ago
Unfortunately opposition doesn't care about economy. They wanna score points on every matter they can
Adnan
about 6 hours ago
Opposition parties will stand against the government for anything where they think they can get people on the street. It's not that opposition really cares about any of this but of course they want to use this golden opportunity for political gain. In the state of Madina, traveling to Makkah was not the same as travelling from Pakistan to Makkah, check out Google maps JI leader. PPP and PML-N will basically oppose everything the government does.
Baseer
about 6 hours ago
@AW, agreed
Omer
about 6 hours ago
Govt needs to set priorities right. It has billions to spend on cinemas but can not provide subsidy on hajj. In fact, they are earning from hajj in form of various taxes. Subsidy in hajj case is just reducing some of the taxes collected by the govt.
Ahmad
about 5 hours ago
@Alley Ali Syed, But why expenses are increased to 63%? I can understand no subsidy of 50000 PKR but why should I pay extra 125000? Even if it was 10% increase in Haj expenses, I could have understood it but 63% is too much for anyone.
Hassan Shabbir
about 5 hours ago
Its a great move to remove the subsidy.... only those who can afford should go.
Kashif
about 5 hours ago
Donate money to poor instead.
Fairplay
about 5 hours ago
These opposition folk have amassed so much money maybe they should subsidise from their own pocket, IK is looking at the bigger picture the economy.
ARIF
about 5 hours ago
Affordability is the basic criteria for Hajj. No subsidy should be given.
Sid
about 5 hours ago
@M.Mudassir Siddiqui, every other country might not be facing the same problems Pakistan is facing - going to hajj is obligatory if YOU can afford it - not your government
enam
about 5 hours ago
Why subsidy? Good decision
ALI ASAD NAWAZ MALIK
about 6 hours ago
Haj is a religious obligation for only those who can afford it. Why should government or anyone else subsidize for it? I performed Haj on my own money through a private service provider. Government should not have any thing to do with this private obligation of an individual Muslim citizen.
Orakzai
about 6 hours ago
Life has come to halt in Pakistan
ABDUL MALIK KHAN
about 6 hours ago
Why should someone go to Haj on my tax? Well done Imran Khan for the decision.
AW
about 6 hours ago
It is unfair by any standards that government be expected to subsidize the cost of those going on haj from public exchequer. Haj is a religious obligation for those who can afford it. How and why should Government even be involved?
Iqbal
about 6 hours ago
Why should it be the responsibility of the government to subsidize people for Haj?
Was this the practice in Riyasat-e-Madina?
Why don’t people tap into GoFundMe type initiatives to let people donate towards someone’s Haj?
Alley Ali Syed
about 6 hours ago
I am a taxpayer and I don't want my money spent on someone performing Hajj. Use your own money. It's not government's obligation.
alliasa
about 6 hours ago
If you can not afford do NOT go. Besides who benefits? Saudi Arabia.
M.Mudassir Siddiqui
about 6 hours ago
Disagreed, every Country gives subsidy
Truth Teller
about 6 hours ago
Dear representatives of opposition parties/thieves!
In last two govt tenors what you people left in treasury to subsidize respected Hajies???
M. asghar
about 6 hours ago
The Senate's position is just demagogic and unjustifiable.
Naveed Anjum
about 6 hours ago
The Corruption & the money laundering left by previous Governments has reduced Pakistan to this state. You have to continue with tough measures for some time. You cannot have subsidy freebies all the time from the Government.
Ahmed bin Babar
about 6 hours ago
The government always leaves space for one probable u-turn..!
Yasio
about 6 hours ago
This is not an issue stop trying to win people while making it an issue
Rahul
about 6 hours ago
Haj is supposed to be performed with own money, why need subsidy?
Naxalite
about 6 hours ago
Unfortunately opposition doesn't care about economy. They wanna score points on every matter they can
Adnan
about 6 hours ago
Opposition parties will stand against the government for anything where they think they can get people on the street. It's not that opposition really cares about any of this but of course they want to use this golden opportunity for political gain. In the state of Madina, traveling to Makkah was not the same as travelling from Pakistan to Makkah, check out Google maps JI leader. PPP and PML-N will basically oppose everything the government does.
Baseer
about 6 hours ago
@AW, agreed
Omer
about 6 hours ago
Govt needs to set priorities right. It has billions to spend on cinemas but can not provide subsidy on hajj. In fact, they are earning from hajj in form of various taxes. Subsidy in hajj case is just reducing some of the taxes collected by the govt.
Ahmad
about 5 hours ago
@Alley Ali Syed, But why expenses are increased to 63%? I can understand no subsidy of 50000 PKR but why should I pay extra 125000? Even if it was 10% increase in Haj expenses, I could have understood it but 63% is too much for anyone.
Hassan Shabbir
about 5 hours ago
Its a great move to remove the subsidy.... only those who can afford should go.
Kashif
about 5 hours ago
Donate money to poor instead.
Fairplay
about 5 hours ago
These opposition folk have amassed so much money maybe they should subsidise from their own pocket, IK is looking at the bigger picture the economy.
ARIF
about 5 hours ago
Affordability is the basic criteria for Hajj. No subsidy should be given.
Sid
about 5 hours ago
@M.Mudassir Siddiqui, every other country might not be facing the same problems Pakistan is facing - going to hajj is obligatory if YOU can afford it - not your government
enam
about 5 hours ago
Why subsidy? Good decision
Verve
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This man discussing Hajj is laughable.
Minimum cost of Hajj from UK per person is £4.5K! That's minimum and means sharing one room with many.
VCheng
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This moron should be reminded that Hajj is simply not obligatory for those who cannot afford to perform it out of their own resources. If one cannot afford it, one is not obligated to perform it. Allah has given this permission very clearly.
El Sidd
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http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part2.ch2.html
31 Islamic way of life.
(1) Steps shall be taken to enable the Muslims of Pakistan, individually and collectively, to order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of Islam and to provide facilities whereby they may be enabled to understand the meaning of life according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
(2) The state shall endeavour, as respects the Muslims of Pakistan :-
(a) to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiat compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran;
(b) to promote unity and the observance of the Islamic moral standards; and
(c) to secure the proper organisation of zakat, 43[ushr, ] 43auqaf and mosques.
31 Islamic way of life.
(1) Steps shall be taken to enable the Muslims of Pakistan, individually and collectively, to order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of Islam and to provide facilities whereby they may be enabled to understand the meaning of life according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
(2) The state shall endeavour, as respects the Muslims of Pakistan :-
(a) to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiat compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran;
(b) to promote unity and the observance of the Islamic moral standards; and
(c) to secure the proper organisation of zakat, 43[ushr, ] 43auqaf and mosques.
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