Opposition to raise matter of increased Hajj expenditure in NA: Shehbaz Sharif

Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned the government’s decision to abolish subsidy on Hajj and said the opposition would raise the matter of increased Hajj expenditure in the National Assembly.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, in a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minster Imran Khan on Thursday, decided to abolish the financial support given to pilgrims, thus increasing the overall expenditure associated with performing the religious obligation.

Hitting out at the government for its decision to end the subsidy, Shehbaz said the opposition would raise the matter in the National Assembly and demand a reply from the government.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader said the government claimed to be aspiring after the state of Madinah but had instead made it difficult for the people to make the journey to Makkah and Madinah.

“The government has given the most expensive Hajj of the country’s history to the people. It seems they are seeing Hajj not as an act of worship but as a source of income,” Shehbaz lashed out.

“The government will need to understand that Hajj is not a way to earn money,” he said, adding that it should facilitate intending pilgrims to visit the House of Allah instead of creating difficulties for them.