ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Monday unveiled the Hajj Policy 2025, announcing an instalment plan for pilgrims to pay Hajj fees.
Hajj is one of five pillars of Islam, annually undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting for years for an opportunity to participate.
Next year’s Hajj under the government scheme is expected to range between Rs1,075,000 to Rs1,175,000, while an additional cost for the sacrifice will be Rs55,000, according to the religious affairs minister.
The first installment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000, must be deposited along with the Hajj application under the government scheme, while the second installment of Rs400,000 must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount must be deposited by February 10 next year.
“If you submit Rs200,000 at the time of the application and your name comes (in the lucky draw) then you will submit Rs400,000 before the rest of the amount between Feb. 1-10,” Hussain said at a press conference.
The Pakistani government approved the new Hajj policy earlier this month, having a quota of 179,210 pilgrims who would be facilitated under the government scheme and through private tour operators.
Hussain said the move would facilitate people who could not make large payments at once, clarifying that Rs50,000 would be deducted if the first instalment is withdrawn whereas Rs200,000 would be deducted if the third instalment was not submitted.
Preference would be given to those going for the pilgrimage for the first time, according to the minister. As per the new policy, children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj.
“The traditional long package for the official Hajj scheme will cover 38 to 42 days and the short package will cover 20 to 25 days,” Hussain added.
Pakistan allows Hajj fee payments in installments in new policy
https://arab.news/5my35
Pakistan allows Hajj fee payments in installments in new policy
- Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims under government scheme and through private operators
- The government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, minister says
UK announces program to improve education access for over 250,000 Pakistani children
- With $25.2 million contribution over three years, program aims to support children in English, Math and Urdu
- Program to primarily focus on children from South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, says British Council
ISLAMABAD: With a contribution of $25.2 million (Rs 7.2 billion) over three years, the United Kingdom hopes to provide over 250,000 Pakistani children better access to education, focusing primarily on the country’s eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the British Council said on Wednesday.
Pakistan has an estimated 22.8 million out-of-school children, the second highest in the world, according to UNICEF. A majority of them, about 12.2 million, are girls who face cultural and social barriers preventing them from seeking formal education especially in rural areas.
Funded by the British High Commission in Pakistan and delivered by the British Council, the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, “Khilo aur Barho” will see children receive support with their Urdu, Math and English subjects. The five-year program, from January 2023 to December 2027, aims to build more inclusive provincial education systems delivering quality education in KP and Punjab.
“The UK is set to help over 250,000 children in Pakistan access better education,” the British High Commission said in a statement. “Through the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, Khilo aur Barho, the UK’s £20 million contribution will help break down barriers to education, enhance literacy and numeracy skills, and strengthen a resilient and effective education system in Pakistan over the next three years.”
It added that 10 percent of the participants would be children with disabilities while 20 percent will comprise from marginalized groups.
“This support will focus on their ability, rather than their age, helping them to catch up on these subjects quicker,” the statement said.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan was facing an “education emergency” with $26.2 million children out of school.
“This targeted support will make sure some of the most vulnerable children in the country don’t fall behind,” she said. “The UK is already a significant supporter of education in Pakistan, supporting over 4.5 million children across Pakistan to access a decent education over the past 10 years.”
Pakistan’s Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said his ministry is focused on facilitating each of the provinces to connect with international and local partners to fight learning poverty in every district, with a special focus on lagging districts.
“I am hoping that GOAL will show how you deliver that successfully in 14 most challenging districts. We will stand ready to help in every way to make it a success,” he said.
In 2022, the UK had donated $160 million (Rs45.76 billion) to support women’s education in Pakistan.
According to WorldMetrics, Pakistan’s literacy rate stood at 59 percent, while the country grapples with the challenge of 23 million out-of-school children.
The government’s spending on education remains low, at just 2.8 percent of GDP, contributing to poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and a shortage of trained teachers, particularly in rural areas.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi reclaims number 1 spot in ODI bowler rankings
- Shaheen Afridi took eight wickets in three matches against Australia at 12.62 average this month
- Pacer Haris Rauf rises to career-best number 13 as ex-captain Babar Azam remains top ODI-ranked batter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi reclaimed his number one spot in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings, the cricket governing body announced on Wednesday, after a successful tour against world champions Australia this year.
Afridi regained his place as the top bowler in the 50-over cricket format after he took eight wickets across three matches against Australia in the ODI series that concluded last week. Afridi, who recorded an impressive average of 12.62 during the three matches, helped Pakistan secure a 2-1 series win against the 2023 world champions. This was Pakistan’s first series win against Australia since 2002.
The achievement helped Afridi move up three places and take the premier position from South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was pushed down two spots to number three while Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan remains in second place.
“Pakistan have received a boost just months out from the start of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy with news that pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has re-claimed the No.1 ranking on the latest ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings,” the ICC said in a report.
Afridi has previously first held the number one bowler ranking midway through last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Meanwhile, fellow Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf improved 14 places to secure the number 13 spot, reaching a new career-high rating. Rauf was awarded Player of the Series against Australia after taking 10 wickets against the 2023 champions.
“Afridi’s rise to the top means Pakistan now have the top-ranked player in both batting and bowling in ODI cricket, with former skipper Babar Azam increasing his lead at the top of the batter charts following 80 runs against Australia when dismissed just once,” the ICC said.
Pakistan will play their first of three T20I matches against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday.
Pakistan’s northwestern province approaches center again to acquire national airline PIA
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this month formally expressed intent to buy PIA to keep it under government control
- Pakistan last month kickstarted flag carrier’s privatization process, attracting a sole bid of Rs10 billion [$36 million]
PESHAWAR: The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has recently sought an update from the federal government over its earlier intent to acquire the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), reiterating its resolve to “revitalize” the national airline as Islamabad looks to privatize the state-owned asset.
KP’s Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) wrote a letter to federal officials on Nov. 1, expressing its intent to top the sole bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) it received last month to acquire the PIA. The provincial government said it wanted the national flag carrier to remain under government control to preserve its status as an asset that symbolizes Pakistan’s pride.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is looking to offload a 51-100 percent stake in debt-ridden PIA to raise funds and reform state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program. The process, however, hit a snag last month when the final bidding round attracted just one bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 percent stake in the national flag carrier.
In a letter dated Nov. 11, the KP-BOIT demanded an update on its Nov. 1 expression of interest in acquiring the airline.
“Given the strategic importance of this process and the strong support for this initiative from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade, we kindly seek an update on the status of KP-BOIT’s proposal,” the letter said.
“KP-BOIT is fully committed to preserving and revitalizing PIA, ensuring its legacy as the National Flag Carrier.”
The board said that the KP chief minister and its team were fully committed to ensuring the national airline “return to prominence” and secure its future under the KP-BOIT, supported by its investors.
“The leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is prepared to offer substantial backing and resources to accomplish these objectives,” the letter added. “KP-BOIT would appreciate any indication of when KP-BOIT might expect to discuss this matter further.”
KP-BOIT said its team is ready to share its strategic vision and present a “competitive and compelling bid” for the national airline.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, chief of the ruling party in Pakistan’s Punjab, said this month that the province was also considering acquiring the national flag carrier. A business group in Canada led by a Pakistani expat also threw its hat in the ring to acquire the airline this month, offering the Pakistan government around Rs100 billion ($358 million) to acquire the debt-ridden national carrier.
The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from, as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it.
Other concerns raised by potential bidders for the PIA stake included inconsistent government communication, unattractive terms and taxes on the sector, and the flag carrier’s legacy issues and reputation.
Imran Khan’s party announces ‘long march’ to Islamabad on Nov. 24
- PTI is protesting alleged rigging of elections, calling for release of political prisoners, independence of judiciary
- Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in Khan’s treatment, election commission denies elections were rigged
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called a ‘long march’ to the capital, Islamabad, on Nov. 24 over alleged rigging in Feb. 8 general elections and to call for the release of political prisoners and the independence of the judiciary, the jailed leader’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said on Wednesday.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and backed by the all-powerful military, which denies interfering in politics.
Khan says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the February elections, are politically motivated.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announcing long march on 24 November, toward Islamabad with 3 basic demands,” the party said in a statement to reporters.
The PTI’s first demand is a rollback of recent constitutional amendments like the 26th amendment that the PTI says is an attempt to curtail the independence of the senior judiciary.
“Release of party leadership and workers,” the PTI said. “Return of stolen mandate, 2024 election by far, the most controversial and farce election.”
Speaking in Lahore, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan also announced the protest call.
“Today you will have to decide if we want to live in martial law or in freedom,” Aleema said. “And on Nov. 24, Imran Khan has today [Wednesday] asked a call for Islamabad.”
Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in Khan’s treatment and its election commission denies the elections were rigged. The government also says the amendments related to the judiciary are meant to smooth out its functioning and tackle a backlog of cases.
Pakistan, fighting for climate funds, urges COP29 to become ‘Finance COP’
- Nearly 200 nations are meeting in Baku to discuss climate compensation for developing countries
- Pakistani prime minister urges fulfillment of financial pledges made during COP27 and COP28
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed hope the UN’s ongoing COP29 climate summit would transform into a “Finance COP” by restoring confidence in the pledging process and increasing climate finance for vulnerable, developing countries.
The main task for nearly 200 countries at the COP29 summit from Nov. 11-22 is to broker a deal that ensures up to trillions of dollars in financing for climate projects worldwide.
Pakistan is ranked the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. In 2022, devastating floods killed over 1,700 people and affected over 33 million, with economic losses exceeding $30 billion. International donors pledged over $9 billion last January to aid Pakistan’s flood recovery but officials say little of the promised funds have been received so far.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit on Tuesday, Sharif said developing countries would need an estimated $6.8 trillion by 2030 to implement less than half of their current nationally determined contributions (NDCs), or national action plans for reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts defined by the Paris Agreement.
Most of the world’s climate-friendly spending so far has been skewed toward major economies such as China and the United States. Africa’s 54 countries received just 2 percent of global renewable energy investments over the last two decades.
“We believe that under Azerbaijan’s able leadership, COP29 can transform into a Finance COP by restoring confidence in the pledging process and scaling up climate finance,” Sharif said in his address to the World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit on Wednesday.
“I strongly feel that climate finance must be grant-based and not add to the debt burden of vulnerable developing countries.”
He said COP29 should make it clear that financial pledges committed during COP27 and COP28 must be fulfilled, as many had yet to materialize.
As minimal emitters, countries like Pakistan should not have to bear the brunt of emissions caused by others, Sharif added, especially without the necessary tools to finance climate resilience.
“Without climate justice, there can be no real resilience and I don’t want other countries to face the plight Pakistan faced back in 2022,” he added, referring to floods.
Wealthy countries pledged in 2009 to contribute $100 billion a year to help developing nations cope with the costs of a transition to clean energy and adapting to the conditions of a warming world.
Those payments began in 2020 but were only fully met in 2022. The $100 billion pledge expires this year.
Countries are negotiating a higher target for payments starting next year, but some have been reluctant to confirm its size until it is clear which countries will contribute. Instead, they are circling around the idea of a multi-layered target, with a core amount from wealthy countries’ government coffers, and a larger sum that includes financing from other sources such as multilateral lending institutions or private investors.
In the past, public money made up the bulk of contributions to the $100 billion goal.
Donald Trump’s victory in the US election has overshadowed the COP29 talks, because of expectations he will halt US climate finance contributions.
That would leave a hole in any new global target that other donors would struggle to fill. Some climate negotiators also expect the overall target agreed at COP29 to be smaller, given the expected lack of contributions from the world’s biggest economy.
The US provided nearly $10 billion in international climate finance last year, less than the European Union’s $31 billion contribution.
So far, only a few dozen rich countries have been obliged to pay UN climate finance and they want fast-developing nations, such as China and Gulf oil nations to start paying as well.
Beijing opposes this, saying that as a developing country it does not have the same responsibility as long-industrialized nations like Britain and the United States.
While China is already investing hundreds of billions of dollars in electric vehicles and renewable energy abroad, it does so on its own terms.
Any COP29 deal would need consensus approval.
With inputs from Reuters
