A proposal has been presented to introduce a single, standardised dress for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims in the coming years, under Saudi Vision 2030.
According to details surfaced on Wednesday, the federal minister for religious affairs has rejected claims that he lacks authority. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, member Dinesh Kumar said there was a perception that the federal minister was powerless in running the ministry and that all dealings were being handled by Dr Tauqeer Shah. The minister of state also said that he was kept uninformed about the ministry’s affairs.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf dismissed the allegations, saying that he holds full authority as minister and that the claims have no basis. The meeting was informed that two companies have been selected in Saudi Arabia to provide Hajj services, while 1,780 Hajj assistants and members of the medical mission will travel to the Kingdom.
The minister said there would be no ban on the inclusion of new companies in the list of private Hajj operators, and that those meeting the required standards would receive quotas in the future. Due to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) boycott of standing committees, it was decided to remove the Family Laws Bill of opposition member Ali Zafar from the agenda.
