Tag: preparations

  • Hajjis to get mobile sims and free internet

    Hajjis to get mobile sims and free internet

    Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed has said that the government will provide free-of-cost mobile SIMs with roaming internet packages for pilgrims, on Tuesday.

    He further stated that female abayas having a Pakistani flag on the backside and 13 Kg suitcases will also be provided to pilgrims performing hajj this year.

    The minister said that it was a historic step that the caretaker government has declared a significant reduction of one lac in government Hajj expenses, adding that a further Rs50,000 will also be reduced in the coming few days after which Hajjaj will get back their money in their accounts.

    He further revealed that a new mobile application has been designed to assist pilgrims, which will provide navigation support and enable constant communication between pilgrims and relevant officials.

    Initially available in English and Urdu, the application will later incorporate various regional languages, he said, adding that, the app will also provide digital training programs to every pilgrim.

    The minister also disclosed a project that the Ministry of Hajj in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has planned to convert city mosques into schools to enroll out-of-school children where the Imam of mosques will play a leading role.

    Minister said that mosques will play their role as community centers in every city area, adding that imams will resolve community issues as well after offering prayers.

    He said that the Ministry of Hajj is taking all four provinces on board and enhancing the connectivity of mosques.

    While describing another project, minister for religious affairs said that his ministry with the collaboration of health ministry has another project in which medical clinics will also be part of mosques.

    Lady health workers and other essential staff of doctors will also be provided in all masajid where they will facilitate to citizens visiting inside the masque of areas, he added.

  • PM Kakar aims to make Hajj more affordable and comfortable for pilgrims

    PM Kakar aims to make Hajj more affordable and comfortable for pilgrims

    On Monday, Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar issued a directive emphasising the provision of high-quality and affordable facilities for pilgrims during the Hajj without compromising the overall arrangements.

    During a meeting focused on the Ministry of Religious Affairs, he stressed the importance of ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to facilitate pilgrims in performing this significant religious ritual, as reported by the state news agency.

    The Prime Minister was briefed on the ministry’s performance, the actions taken for Hajj, and the preparations for the Hajj policy in 2024, according to a press release from the PM Office Media Wing.

    According to ARY News, the meeting was attended by Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed and other ministry officials.

    In his address to the participants, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for rigorous oversight of private Hajj companies to ensure that pilgrims using private schemes do not encounter any difficulties. 

    He also requested the submission of the Hajj policy for approval by the federal cabinet.

  • Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar met Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and advised him not to criticise the judiciary.

    The meeting took place at the latter’s Lahore residence in Zaman Park on Wednesday wherein they deliberated the judiciary’s role vis-à-vis the ongoing political crisis and constitutional matters among other issues.

    According to media reports, the PTI chief had invited former CJP Saqib Nisar to his Zaman Park residence with the aim to `consult’ legal experts on various prevailing constitutional as well political issues.

    The PTI chief discussed with the former CJP legalities regarding oath-taking by the Punjab chief minister-elect since the Lahore High Court had advised the governor to administer oath on Thursday (today).

    Talking to ARY News following the meeting, Justice (r) Saqib Nisar lauded the country’s judiciary for doing “great work”.

    He said he advised the former prime minister to not criticise the judiciary. He said he also discussed with Khan the constitutional crisis in Punjab, as well as the issue of the oath-taking of the newly elected Punjab chief minister.

    Earlier, addressing PTI workers’ convention in Lahore on Wednesday, Imran Khan said that his party will observe Ramadan 27 (a possible Shab-e-Qadr) as “Shab-e-Dua” (Night of Prayers) and urged all Pakistanis to join PTI’s Shab-e-Dua for the “real freedom of Pakistan”.

    He also asked party representatives to launch a public campaign at UC level in their constituencies for preparations regarding the party’s Islamabad march. “I want two million people to reach Islamabad on my call,” he added.