ISLAMABAD: Talking to Voice of America (VOA) during a special interview with Ali Furqan,  Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said that this year’s Haj would be a bit costlier as compared to the expenses incurred on the Haj pilgrimage last year due to adequate COVID SOPs, however, exact estimation can be made after final announcement of Saudi Arabia regarding SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) and number of pilgrims.

It would not be possible for Saudi Arabia to make normal arrangements as there’s a little time left for the Haj. He said Saudi Arabia will be able to make limited arrangements, but it has not confirmed about the number of pilgrims.

Noor-ul-Haq Qadri illustrated that Pakistan government was in contact with Saudi authorities and Saudi Arabia also wanted to take major Muslim countries in confidence before final decision. He said that Saudi Arabia was making strict SOPs to counter coronavirus during Haj, and Pakistan would be ensuring implementation on these SOPs.

He further said that all pilgrims would have to take negative COVID test before departure and upon arrival in Saudi Arabia all pilgrims would have to do 3-day quarantine. Also, COVID test would also be mandatory on arrival in Madina from Makkah and on returning back to Makkah.

According to federal minister, there will be a specific time for every country to perform Tawaf-e-Ziarat and Umrah in the Haram to avoid rush. The minister said, “Pakistan has the capability to complete arrangements in short time on allotment of Haj quota by Saudi Arabia.”

Regarding the issue of Saudi Arabia’s denial to Chinese vaccine, the minister said, “Pakistan will convince Saudi Arabia to recognise Chinese vaccine as WHO has approved Sinopharm vaccine of China and most of Pakistanis have been administered with the Chinese vaccine.” In the proposed Haj policy, Saudi Arabia has recommended vaccines including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson’s.