Haj quota for Pakistani pilgrims increased

The number of pilgrims from Pakistan visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Haj will rise to 179,210 in 2017.
This was decided during an official meeting held in Jeddah between Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Saudi Haj and Umrah Minister Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentin, according to a press release.
A formal agreement to this effect will be signed later, the release added.
Religious Affairs Secretary Khalid Masood Chaudhry, Pakistan Ambassador Manzoorul Haq and Haj Director General Syed Sajid Yousafani also attended the meeting.
The Pakistani minister visted Saudi Arabia with the aim of finalizing the Haj arrangements and other issues relating to Haj 2017. He held talks with top Saudi officials. Last year’s Haj arrangements were excellent, the minister said.
“We congratulate King Salman for the successful Haj operations in 2016.”
He also thanked the Saudi Haj and Umrah minister for his support in increasing the quota for Pakistani pilgrims.
During his talks with Pakistan’s delegation, the Saudi minister said that Pakistani Haj office played an important role in Haj preparations with their Saudi counterparts and “we are proud of them.”
He also congratulated Pakistan’s Haj authorities for their efforts in ensuring the success of Haj operations and providing excellent services to pilgrims.