ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims are expected to spend approximately Rs 9.54 billion on Qurbani (animal sacrifice) during the upcoming Hajj season, according to official estimates.
The sources further stated that in total terms, this figure would amount to 120.9 million Saudi riyals.
According to official estimates, 179,210 Pakistanis would be performing Hajj this year while every pilgrim is required to make arrangements for at least one Qurbani (animal sacrifice). The cost per person has been fixed at 720 Saudi riyals, or about Rs 53,000.
It should be mentioned here that 119,210 pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the government Hajj scheme incurring an expenditure of about Rs 6.34 billion on Qurbani rituals.
On the other hand, the estimated expense on Qurbani rituals of 60,000 pilgrims traveling under the private Hajj scheme would amount to about 43.2 million Saudi riyals or Rs 3.19 billion.
The officials pointed out that these figures pertained only to the expense on Qurbani rituals and were distinct from other expenditures on Hajj.
Hajj operation enters final phase as majority of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia
Similarly, a total of 78,929 Pakistani pilgrims have safely arrived in Saudi Arabia under the government Hajj scheme, officials said, as the ongoing Hajj flight operation continues across multiple phases.
According to data, more than two-thirds of the total pilgrims who will be performing Hajj with government arrangements have arrived, while the rest 39,905 are scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia within the next few days.
The Hajj operation is being carried out through a coordinated flying schedule comprising 468 scheduled flights being arranged through PIA, Airblue, SereneAir, Saudi Airline and other Saudi national carriers, officials informed.
Out of these flights, a total number of 313 flights have been completed as of now, including 282 landed in Jeddah and 186 flew for Madinah.
Meanwhile, officials said the total number of Hajj flights operation would soon come to an end as there remain only eight more days left in the process. The last flight would leave on May 21.
Further, officials informed that a total number of 73,759 pilgrims are at present in Makkah, whereas 34,200 arrived from Madinah to Makkah after performing Ziyarat.
The government has deployed 1,402 Hajj assistants to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, ensuring logistical and welfare support throughout their stay.
