ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has said that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has not taken a final decision on the number of pilgrims and Hajj-related safety measures yet.
“It is absolutely wrong to say that Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has fixed Hajj Quota for Pakistan.” Qadri
The Saudi authorities also informed that media reports about the number of pilgrims were mere recommendations from the Saudi Ministry of Health.
In a video statement, he said the Saudi minister for Hajj and Umrah, in a telephonic conversation with him, had confirmed that the Hajj 2021 policy had not been finalized.
The minister noted that the Saudi government has not yet taken a final decision on these suggestions.
The Saudi government will take Pakistan into confidence before making a final decision about Hajj. Pakistan to announce Hajj policy after the final announcement from Saudi authorities. Pakistan will announce the Hajj policy after the final announcement of the Hajj policy by the Saudi government.
He had said that some 15,000 locals and 45,000 people from other countries would be allowed to perform the sacred religious ceremony this year. The pilgrims have to follow coronavirus-related standard operating procedures. The Saudi government had issued nine pages of special instructions and conditions.
Hajj 2021 will take place under special circumstances with special norms, rules, and regulations, eligibility, criteria, and age restrictions.
People below the age of 18 and over 60 years will not be allowed to go for Hajj, while health certificates will have to be deposited.
Qadri had asked the Pakistani intending pilgrims to continue their Hajj preparations. Authentic coronavirus vaccine certificates and a PCR negative test has been made mandatory.
