Pakistan Enhances Hajj Facilities and Digital Services Under New Policy

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORAIH) has introduced significant enhancements in Hajj arrangements and digital services under its latest policy, ensuring seamless religious experiences for pilgrims while promoting interfaith harmony nationwide.

Expanded Hajj Facilities and Services

Under the Rules of Business 1973, the ministry has been actively coordinating with Pakistani and Saudi authorities to improve Hajj-related services. The 2024 Hajj arrangements saw the introduction of:
* Enhanced accommodation and catering facilities.
* Dedicated reception offices at Jeddah and Madinah airports.
* 24/7 medical services in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.
* Special assistance for elderly, sick, and children.
* Lost-and-found services to support pilgrims.
* Distribution of Zamzam water bottles.
* A mobile app for real-time updates and complaint redressal.

In 2024, 68,804 pilgrims under the Government Hajj Scheme received comprehensive training, vaccination, and travel kits. Additionally, compensation and refunds were processed for the families of deceased pilgrims, while 1,200 welfare staff were deployed to ensure smooth operations.

Important Features New Hajj Policy 2025

The newly introduced Hajj Policy 2025 includes:
* Expanded procurement committees for improved transparency.
* Stronger financial controls and auditing measures.
* The Hajj Nazim Scheme to enhance operational efficiency.
* Increased compensation for deceased pilgrims from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million.
* Mandatory insurance coverage for Hajj dues.
* Inclusion of the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Oath in the Nikahnama Form, approved by the Federal Cabinet.
* Legislation on Hajj and Umrah Regulations Act 2024, aimed at regulating Umrah operators.

Promoting Interfaith Harmony and Minority Rights

The ministry continues its efforts to foster mutual respect and peaceful coexistence by:
* Establishing a Minority Welfare Fund to assist marginalized communities.
* Providing scholarships for minority students.
* Funding maintenance and repair of religious sites.
* Organizing Seerat-un-Nabi conferences and interfaith dialogues.
* Observing Minorities Day (August 11) to recognize their contributions.
* Celebrating 10 minority religious festivals, including Christmas, Holi, and Diwali.

Legislative and Digital Advancements

The ministry is actively working on key legislative measures, including:
* Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill 2023, to standardize religious festival observances.
* Error-free Quran Printing Bill, ensuring the accuracy of sacred texts.
* Ehtaram-e-Ramzan Ordinance 1981, enforcing Ramazan-related restrictions.
* Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, governing family law regulations.
* Marriage Functions Ordinance 2000, aimed at curbing extravagant wedding expenses.

On the digital front, MORAIH has taken strong measures to monitor online religious content, reporting 16,634 blasphemous and anti-Islamic links in 2024. It has also launched an e-portal for online complaints and introduced QR-coded baggage tracking for Hajj pilgrims.

Public Engagement and Religious Initiatives

To further promote religious awareness and participation, the ministry has:
* Conducted a National Seerat Competition, awarding Rs. 3.5 million in prizes.
* Hosted a Seerat-un-Nabi Conference attended by top government officials.
* Organized a nationwide Hifz-o-Qirat competition, selecting 14 participants for Qiyam-ul-Lail 2024, broadcasted by PTV.
* Nominated winners for international Quranic events.
* Raised awareness campaigns on health, nutrition, and HIV prevention.

Budget and Future Outlook

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has been allocated Rs. 1.83 billion for the current financial year. By December 31, 2024, Rs. 582.12 million (32% of the budget) had been utilized across various initiatives.

With continued investments in digital transformation, public engagement, and interfaith harmony, the ministry remains committed to enhancing religious services, ensuring pilgrims’ welfare, and fostering national unity.