Islamabad, April 05, 2019 (PPI-OT): Government should ensure the sanctity of the old pages of the Holy Quran. In this regard, recycle plant should be installed forthwith. These directions were issued by Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony of National Assembly, during its meeting held in Committee Room of Parliament Lodges, Islamabad. The Standing Committee was informed that, to ensure printing of error free Holy Quran in the country, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony had selected the copy of the Holy Quran printed under the supervision of Anjuman Hamayat-e-Islam and placed it on the website after its complete proof reading and having it error free.
Now general public and the publishers can take benefit of the error free copy of the Holy Quran. Giving briefing to the Standing Committee, the officials of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony informed that internationally accepted population of Pakistan is over 170 million. So, Pakistan has been given Hajj quota of 179210 pilgrims. However, the present Government took up the issue with Saudi authorities and informed them that Pakistani population had been increased. So, the Saudi authorities have hinted to increase Pakistani quota upto 200,000 pilgrims.
Soon after the approval of Saudi authorities, 60% of increased quota will go to the pilgrims under Hajj scheme. The pilgrims will be selected through computerized balloting. Whereas, rest of 40% quota will be distributed among new Hajj tour operators who have already qualified. The Standing Committee was informed that, during this Hajj season, Saudi Government decided to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims under “Road to Mecca” Programme from Islamabad Airport. According to the details, under this programme, some 22 thousand pilgrims will be facilitated. Under this programme, Pakistani pilgrims will be vaccinated at Islamabad Airport.
The Saudi immigration and custom authorities will clear Pakistani pilgrims at Islamabad Airport. So, there will be no checking of these pilgrims at Saudi Airports. Similarly, the luggage of these pilgrims will be delivered at their residences. The Standing Committee asked for fresh report about the arrangements of provision of food to pilgrims and hiring of buildings. Moreover, the Committee directed the Government to furnish a list of the Staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony and explain if the quota of minorities have been observed.
The meeting was presided over by the Chairman Standing Committee of National Assembly on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Mr. Asad Mehmood and attended by Members National Assembly; Mr. Saleem Rehman, Mr. Muhammad Bashir Khan, Prince Muhammad Nawaz Allai, Mr. Mujahid Ali, Ch. Javed Iqbal Warraich, Mr. Aftab Jehangir, Ms. Shunila Ruth, Begum Tahira Bokhari, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Mr. Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, Ms. Shagufta Jumani and Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali. Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Joint Secretaries and many other senior officers attended the meeting.
For more information, contact:
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre,
National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House,
Islamabad – Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk