JEDDAH — Minister of Haj Bandar Al-Hajjar received Pakistan's Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammed Yousaf here on Wednesday and discussed with him matters pertaining to the upcoming Haj. Yousaf was accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan. Yousaf briefed the Saudi minister on preparations made by the government of Pakistan for this year's Haj, especially the huge expenses incurred for arranging accommodation, transportation and other related services for Pakistani pilgrims. Yousaf said his government fully understood the decisions made by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims. He expressed his appreciation of the policy and approach of the Saudi government in this regard. Al-Hajjar informed the visiting minister that the Saudi government took the decisions with a view to facilitate Haj for pilgrims from all over the world. He explained that work being carried out in the Grand Mosque in Makkah would expand the capacity of the Mataf (circumambulation area) from 48,000 pilgrims an hour to 150,000 pilgrims an hour. He said the Haj Ministry would make available a video about the proposed expansion of the Grand Mosque and its positive impact on pilgrimage in coming seasons. He suggested that Pakistan show this video to its intending pilgrims. Yousaf extended an invitation to Al-Hajjar to visit Pakistan, which he accepted. He plans to make the visit after Haj this year.
