Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, announced on Tuesday that the government plans to provide complimentary mobile SIMs, complete with roaming internet packages, to Pakistanis embarking on the Haj pilgrimage in 2024.
While talking to the media, the caretaker minister disclosed that female pilgrims would also receive abayas featuring the Pakistani flag on the backside, and all pilgrims would be given 13kg suitcases.
Emphasizing the historical significance, Ahmed highlighted the caretaker government’s initiative to reduce the Haj cost by approximately Rs100,000. He further indicated that an additional Rs50,000 would be deducted, with the refunded amount credited directly to the individuals’ accounts.
Ahmed also unveiled a newly developed mobile application designed to assist pilgrims. The app aims to provide navigation support and facilitate continuous communication between pilgrims and relevant officials. Initially available in English and Urdu, the application is set to include various regional languages and will offer digital training programs to each pilgrim.
In a collaborative effort between the Haj ministry and the education ministry, Ahmed revealed a project to transform city mosques into schools. The goal is to enroll out-of-school children, with mosque imams playing a central role. Mosques, according to the minister, will serve as community centers in urban areas, with imams addressing community issues post-prayer.
Highlighting increased collaboration with all four provinces, Ahmed mentioned the ministry’s efforts to enhance mosque connectivity. Additionally, he outlined another project in collaboration with the health ministry, wherein medical clinics will be integrated into mosques.
