Annual pilgrimage will take place under special circumstances with age restrictions due to Covid-19, says minister.
Minister for Religious Affair Dr. Noor-ur-Haq Qadri has said 40,000 to 50,000 Pakistanis may be allowed to perform Hajj this year. In an interview, he said that the hajj 2021 would take place under special rules and regulations, eligibility, criteria and age restrictions in the wake of COVID-19. The Minister said the pilgrims of less than 20 or over 50 years of age may not be permitted to perform hajj this year. Saudi Arabia may allow hajj aspirants having sound health without serious illness.
The minister also said that the Saudi government has not yet given green signal for going ahead with the Hajj arrangements as various Saudi departments including the Hajj and Umrah Ministry, were still weighing different options to make Hajj safe and secure for the pilgrims.
The Saudi Government will granted permits to only those pilgrims who have already got the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, or those who took the first dose 14 days before applying to obtain the permit and those who recovered from the infection already.
Sources
https://tribune.com.pk/
http://www.radio.gov.pk
