Islamabad:

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has informed the Senate Panel that the final number of the intended Hajj pilgrims under private Hajj operators is subject to the approval of the quota of the Saudi government.

The Ministry’s secretary Dr Attaur Rehman informed the Senate’s Standing Committee for Sub -Committee for Religious Affairs and explained that payments for Qadana and Tawafa services are deposited in Saudi Arabia. Once the funds are transferred from there, they are paid out among the organizers.

He noted that the funds could be used for the next Hajj if the system is maintained.

Sub -Committee Convener Senator Awn Abbas Bappi asked for a deduction for pilgrims requesting a refund and sought details regarding correspondence with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

He also asked about any funds deposited by mistake.

The Ministry’s secretary assured that the intention of pilgrims would receive a refund.

Senator Bappi further questioned why SBP had not increased the daily fund transfer limit. The Ministry’s secretary replied that only organizers with at least 14,000 Riyals in their accounts were cleared.