HOAP officials vow to provide maximum facilities to pilgrims

Author: By Shamshad Mangat

ISLAMABAD: The officials of Hajj Organisers’ Association of Pakistan (HOAP) have said they have made plans to provide maximum facilities to the Pakistani pilgrims under private Hajj scheme during the Hajj period of 2017.

The central chairman of HOAP Haji Sana Ullah, the KP and FATA regions chairman Haji Masood Shinwari and Pir Aqal Shah during their speeches at a consultative workshop on Hajj 2017 in Peshawar said this. Officials said that during the Hajj days, modern buses would be provided to transport people from Makkah to Mina and Arafat. The representatives of the private Hajj tour operators said that many food options would be offered to pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

Private Hajj tour operators of Pakistan provide Sofa cum beds in Mina and fully air-conditioned tents at Arafat to Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj days, the officials stated.

Haji Sana Ullah, the central chairman of HOAP, while applauding the efforts of the federal government said that due to Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, the federal minister of religious affairs and interfaith harmony interest, vision and efforts the hajj operation of both the government and private sectors was successful with maximum possible facilities being provided to the pilgrims.

He said there was no difference between private and government Hajj schemes and it was the aim of both sectors to facilitate the pilgrims during Hajj. He said that due to the struggles and outstanding performance of private Hajj companies, it has resulted in bringing Pakistan to the top position with those countries providing best facilities to their countrymen during Hajj period in Saudi Arabia.

The HOAP chairman said we should respect the suggestions of the pilgrims and the government should chalk out the Hajj policy following the suggestions of the pilgrims to end their grievances. Haji Masood Shinwari the chairman of HOAP for KP regions, and Pir Aqal Shah, the chairman for FATA regions, said the main objective of the consultative workshops was to get feedback and suggestions from pilgrims to constitute a very successful Hajj policy.