SBP releases $50 million for govt Hajj scheme

The Pakistani Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia has received the first payment of $50 million from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for the Government Hajj Scheme 2023.

According to Ministry of Religious Affairs officials, the government has been asked to provide $213 million for the Hajj scheme.

According to SBP sources, the Ministry of Religious Affairs would receive $213 million in four installments over the next three to four days.

The finance ministry has also given the State Bank of Pakistan a second tranche of $40 million. The ministry has been allotted $213 million to cover flight fares, lodging, transportation and other taxes for pilgrims performing Hajj this year under a government scheme.

First Hajj flight to take off on May 20

The present government set a quota of 89,605 pilgrims wanting to undertake Hajj under government quotas for this year, however, the ministry received roughly 80,000 applications.

Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, was informed on Wednesday that the first Hajj flight would depart from Pakistan on May 20.

While briefing the minister, Secretary Religious Affairs Aftab Akbar Durrani stated that the Hajj fight operation would most likely be completed on June 21.