Soaring residential rents unaffordable for Hajjis: Wakeel
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Wakeel Ahmed Khan on Monday expressed his grave over escalating house rents in Holy cities of Medina and Makkah said that due to escalating rent rates Pakistan would have to lessen its quota of Hajis.
In an interview, Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Wakeel Ahmed Khan said that the rents of residential buildings have been doubled and each Haji would have to pay extra 5500 Riyals extra, which is unaffordable for majority of Hajis.
He said that he would be visiting Saudi Arabia next month and he would hold talks with Saudi Hajj Ministry on this issue and is optimistic that the Saudi government would listen and would help reduce rents of residential buildings.
Wakeel Ahmed Khan said Religious Ministry used to take 2100 Riyals for providing residence but now the rent of the building which we used to rent out has been enhance to 5500 Riyal. He said moreover due to escalating oil prices the Hajis also have to pay double airfares.
Wakeel Ahmed said that due to increase in Rents, number of Muslims going to the Holy City has been less than compared to previous years.
He also condemned in strongest words the negative propaganda hatched by Western Media concerning Madaris in Pakistan terming it concocted and baseless. He made it clear that the Madaris running in Pakistan are not creating a wrong notion abroad urging some of the Western Media are trying to politicise issues for their own gains.
Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs, Wakeel Ahmed Khan and Director Hajj, Jeddah, Shahid Khan gave the presentation on Hajj policy.
The Federal Minister said that Hajjis would have to bear some extra expenditure this year due to continuous rise in fuel prices all over the world.
The Minister said that this year applications for Hajj will be accepted on first come first basis and chances would be given to those who applied for Hajj but could not succeeded in the last two years draws.
The Minister informed that he would visit Saudi Arabia in the first week of May, 2008 to hold talks with Saudi government for the provision of better facilities of lodging, boarding and transportation for Pakistani pilgrims.