Pilgrims to Makkah may be required to pay up to Rs 420,000 in the year 2019 for Hajj on the government scheme, media reports said on Sunday. Well-placed sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that the government was trying to secure a subsidy of up to Rs 40,000 per person on Hajj expenses, which if approved, will cap the costs at Rs 380,000. However, since the amount of subsidy has not been finalised as of yet, those wishing to undertake the holy journey are expected to increase to Rs 420,000 per person. In 2018, the Hajj expenses for northern and southern regions of Pakistan were Rs. 280,000 and Rs. 270,000 respectively, whereas Rs 13,050 was separately charged for the animal sacrifice. Sources said that the hike in Hajj rates was rooted in increased taxation by the Saudi government and depreciation in the Pakistani rupee’s value against the dollar by as much as 29 rupees since December 28, 2017, when last year’s Hajj policy was announced. After the cabinet’s approval, applications for Hajj on government scheme will be received from January 20 till February 20. In December 2018, Saudi Arabia had increased quota of Pakistani pilgrims for 2019’s Hajj by 5,000. Under the arrangements, more than 184,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj from Pakistan in 2019. It was also decided to include Pakistani pilgrims in ‘Road to Makkah’ project in phases. Initially, 35, 000 pilgrims of Sindh will benefit from this scheme. The process of verification and immigration of the pilgrims will be conducted at Karachi airport. According to the agreement, Pakistani pilgrims will be given e-visas. Published in Daily Times, January 7th 2019