ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has approved amendments in the Hajj Policy 2024 under which children below ten years of age will also be eligible to perform Hajj.

The Federal Cabinet, which met in Islamabad today, with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in the chair, also decided to return the un-availed quota of government and private Hajj Schemes to the Saudi Government. Besides, a foolproof monitoring system, as per laws of the Saudi Government, will be in place to regulate financial matters of Hajj Groups organizers.

Flexibility will be allowed with regard to the condition for Hajj Scheme pilgrims of over 80 years of age. However, the private Group Organizer will sign an agreement with the pilgrims to hire local attendants during their stay in Saudi Arabia. This very point will be included in the agreement for provision of services and Hajj Group Organizers found violating this will be fined and black listed.

The Cabinet also approved reduction in hardship Hajj quota. It was decided that fifty percent of local moavineen will comprise Pakistani students studying in Saudi universities and their appointment will be made as welfare staff.

It is pertinent to mention that the Federal Cabinet, in its previous meeting, had constituted a committee to further improve the Hajj Policy 2024 and new amendments have been made in light of the recommendations of the committee.

The cabinet allowed imposition of 40 percent tax on the windfall profit of banks earned during 2021 and 2022.

The meeting approved inclusion of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Kyrgyzstan in the business visa list. Placing nine people on the Exit Control List and deleting 18 others from the ECL was also approved.

The cabinet approved a budget of 267.59 million rupees for the Jammu and Kashmir State property for the current fiscal year. It instructed preparation of draft insurance of accession with regard to ratification of Hong Kong International Convention 2009 to ensure safe and environment friendly recycling of ships.

The cabinet exempted Rule No 8, 13, 35, 38 and 40 of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Rules 2004 for the procurement of 200,000 metric tons of urea from the international market.

Bilateral Investment Treaties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar also got cabinet’s nod.