ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where approval would be given to the Hajj Policy 2020. The cabinet would decide over the expenses to be incurred on Hajj from the country in 2020. “A proposal to lower down Hajj expenses by Rs 50,000 to 60,000 will be presented in the cabinet on Tuesday and after a nod from the cabinet, federal Minister for Religious Affairs will announce the policy,” they said. On January 23, the Ministry of Religious Affairs admitted before a Senate panel that this year’s Hajj package will cost pilgrims Rs115,000 more. The secretary concerned informed the Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony that rupee depreciation and airfare hike forced the government to jack up the Hajj cost. 

The religious affairs secretary said about 179,000 people will be able to go on the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year. Moreover, other than the Hajj expenses issue, the prime minister would also lay guidelines in the cabinet meeting to bring down the prices of basic commodities’ items and an important announcement is expected after the cabinet meeting in this regard. “Improving numbers of utility stores and cooperation under the Ehsas programme will also come under discussion during the meeting,” they said.