Saudi Arabia has warned Pakistan, 'strict punishment will be done for violating HAJ Rules'

Islamabad, April 29 (IANS). The government of Saudi Arabia has given Pakistan strict warning about HAJ rules. Saudi Arabia said that if a Pakistani citizen is found to violate the HAJ Posting Rules this year, strict punishment will be imposed on him. This warning comes at a time when Pakistan officially started with Haj flights. During this period, the first group of 442 Haj Pilgrims departed for Madina from Islamabad. The Saudi Home Affairs Minister has made it clear that from 29 April to 10 June, it will be strictly acted by HAJ Rules. The ministry said that a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi -Rial (about 4.5 lakh calls) would be imposed for the execution of Haj without a valid Haj permit or to make efforts. This rule applies to all types of visa holders, whether they entered Mecca or stayed there. The ministry further said that if a person applies for a travel visa with the intention of executing Haj without helping such individuals reach maize, he will be fined up to 1 Lakh Saudi -Riyal (about Rs 22.5 lakh). This fine can be set out according to the number of persons involved. Saudi officials have warned that anyone who offers housing, transport or any assistance to the individuals without permission in the Haj area, be it a hotel, private housing or a Haj camp, will also be fined up to 1 Lakh Riyal. All such illegal efforts will be arrested immediately, deported and banned for at least ten years to have access to Saudi Arabia. This strict action of Saudi Arabia is taken every year due to the growing number of beggars, illegal passengers and rules that ignore rules without permits. In the past three years, Saudi Arabia has deported at least 4700 Pakistani beggars out of the country. Saudi officials have requested the government of Pakistan to include the names and passports of these persons in the no-fly list. Pakistan defense minister Khwaja Asif also expressed his concern about the problem, saying: “Their growing number is darkening the country’s image abroad.” This year, about 89,000 Pakistani Haj -Pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia under the government scheme, while 23.620 go through private tour operators. Of these, 50,500 passengers will benefit from the Mecca initiative of Saudi Arabia, of which 22,500 will fly from Karachi and 28,000 Islamabad. -Ians DSC/CBT