Islamabad (Web Desk): Once again, Saudi Arabia has rejected Pakistan’s request to increase its Hajj quota for 2017 season.
Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yusuf had asked Saudi Hajj Ministry last week for an increase in Hajj Quota from the current 179,210 to 194,210.
Pakistan has pleaded for an increase in its Hajj quota as the former’s new population figures following the ongoing census in the country are expected to show a dramatic increase, reported a private TV channel on Friday.
However, Saudi Hajj Ministry while rejecting application took the plea that census in Pakistan is now underway and is not completed yet, therefore, it is difficult to evaluate how much population has increased in Pakistan. It can be considered after completion of the census that how much hajj quota can be increased.
Pakistan and Saudi ministers will also discussed Hajj arrangements and ways to improve them.
The arrangements would be far better this time in comparison with previous years, the Saudi minister guaranteed.
The concrete steps were being taken to provide the best possible services and facilities to pilgrims.-Online, he added.
In the start of 2017, Saudi Arabia had inked an agreement whereby Pakistan’s quota rose from 143,368 to 179,210.
