ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed has said Pakistan was introducing a “short-term Hajj facility” for the first time in the nation’s history, allowing pilgrims a more concize and efficient experience, state-run news agency APP reported on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia last year restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and abolished the upper age limit of 65 years. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj under the government scheme in 2023 while the rest used private tour operators.
Pakistan announced the results of a draw for Hajj 2024 in December 2023, with more than 63,000 applicants selected for the pilgrimage under the government scheme. Those remaining will apply for the pilgrimage through private tour operators.
“This year’s Hajj would be exemplary for Pakistani pilgrims, offering facilities that were not available in the past,” the religious affairs minister said. “For the first time in the country’s history, a short-term Hajj facility is being provided in Pakistan.”
Previously, the government Hajj scheme ran for 38-42 days, but a shorter package of up to 25 days will also now be available.
Accommodation, meals, and transportation as well as all other basic necessities had been standardized for Hajj 2024, Ahmed said, and pilgrims would be able to use both trains and buses while in Saudi Arabia.
“Every pilgrim would be given a green suit-case containing a QR code to prevent any loss of belongings,” the minister said. “Hajj pilgrims would also be provided with a free SIM containing 180 international calling minutes and 7GB data to facilitate easy communication with their loved-ones.”
For the first time, women would get free abaya shrouds adorned with the Pakistani flag, “contributing to the country’s identity,” he said.
Hajj 2024 training workshops, educational training sessions designed by the government to educate pilgrims about the rituals and procedures of performing the pilgrimage, kicked off in Pakistan this week.
Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, is expected to run from Jun 14-19 this year.
Pakistan introduces shorter Hajj scheme for first time
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Pakistan introduces shorter Hajj scheme for first time
- Government Hajj scheme previously ran for 38-42 days, now shorter package of up to 25 days also available
- Saudi Arabia last year restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims, abolished 65-year age limit
Leading fintech outlines vision for affordable remittances for Pakistani users at Dubai summit
- Unencumbered by traditional banking infrastructure, top JazzCash official sees fintechs offering greater financial inclusion
- Murtaza Ali says women already constitute 30 percent of JazzCash customers and 17 percent of its lending users
KARACHI: The top official of a leading Pakistani fintech told a summit in Dubai on Friday financial platforms offered by companies like his could boost remittances to the country, making these transfers more affordable and remotely accessible while making the platforms pivotal for millions of local households.
JazzCash, a mobile wallet and branchless banking service provided by a major telecom operator in Pakistan, was originally launched as “MobiCash” in 2012 before it was rebranded four years later.
Earlier this week, it announced a partnership with the United Arab Emirates-based financial service provider, du Pay, for smooth cross-border payments, saying the collaboration, powered by Western Union, would allow Pakistani nationals to send money directly to JazzCash mobile wallets.
According to a statement issued by the company, the JazzCash head, Murtaza Ali, spoke about the financial inclusion provided by fintech organizations while discussing their impact on the country’s economic landscape.
“Detached from traditional limitations like bank branches and agent networks, digital remittances can reach even remote, low-income households, empowering them to participate in the formal financial system,” he told the participants of the Dubai summit.
The Gulf nation hosts a vast Pakistani expatriate community and holds the distinction of being the second-largest contributor of remittances to Pakistan after Saudi Arabia, with $548 million transferred to the South Asian country in March.
Ali also revealed that women constituted 30 percent of JazzCash customers, 17 percent of lending users, 23,000 merchants and 6,000 agents.
“These encouraging numbers reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing female participation in its services,” he added.
The statement informed he also praised Pakistan’s central bank, telecom authority and financial regulatory agency for their collaborative approach that propelled digital and financial inclusion across the country.
“With a large unbanked population and a cash-dependent SME [small and medium enterprise] sector, we anticipate exponential growth,” it quoted Ali as saying. “Our roadmap involves leveraging data for risk assessment, venturing into Insurtech, and further integrating financial services into everyday transactions.”
Government says eight entities interested in Pakistan’s debt-ridden airlines amid privatization drive
- The deadline for submitting expressions of interest to participate in PIA’s divestment ended at 4 PM on Friday
- The Privatization Commission is now carrying out the pre-qualification process in line with the laid-out criteria
KARACHI: The Ministry of Privatization on Friday named eight business entities that have expressed interest in acquiring stakes in the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that has faced significant financial difficulties and repeatedly urged the government for bailouts in recent years.
Pakistan agreed to overhaul its public sector entities under a $3 billion short-term loan package it signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year to avert a sovereign debt default.
The IMF recommended the government privatize the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) whose losses were burning a hole in the country’s finances amid its already precarious economic situation.
According to the ministry, the deadline for submitting expressions of interest to participate in PIA’s divestment process ended at 4 PM today.
“In response to the Invitation of Expression of Interest (EoI), for Divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), published advertisement in leading national and international newspapers on 2nd & 3rd April, 2024, Privatization Commission has received Statement of Qualifications from (1) Fly Jinnah, (2) Air Blue Limited, (3) Arif Habib Corporation Limited, (4) Sardar Ashraf D. Baluch – SHANXI CIG Co. Ltd. (China), (5) Gerry’s International (Private) Limited, (6) Consortium Lead by Y.B. Holdings (Private) Limited, (7) Consortium Lead by Pak Ethanol and (8) Consortium Lead by Blue World City,” it announced.
“Privatization Commission will now carry out the pre-qualification process in line with the criteria laid down in the RSOQs [Requests for Statement of Qualification], under the PC Ordinance 2000 and rules & regulations framed thereunder,” it continued. “Accordingly, the pre-qualified parties will be invited for the next stage of bidding process.”
The privatization of SOEs is proving to be a challenging process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated earlier this week his government would not sell public entities it deemed “strategically important.”
Prior to this, the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization, affirmed the government would continue to retain essential or strategic SOEs.
Contrasting these views, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who is negotiating with the IMF for a fresh loan, declared that there was “no such thing as a strategic” public entity, indicating his intent to keep the privatization process comprehensive.
Shaheen Shah Afridi quells team discord rumors, says Pakistan eyeing T20 World Cup victory
- Afridi briefly served as Pakistan’s T20I captain following the team’s underperformance in last year’s ODI World Cup
- The leadership change at the helm followed contentious statements, triggering debate about solidarity within the team
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi on Friday dismissed concerns about unity within the national cricket team ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup, saying there was no discord within the squad where every player was focusing on winning the big tournament next month.
Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain after Babar Azam announced his decision to step down following the team’s underperformance in last year’s Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as the ODI World Cup played in India. However, his tenure was brief and ended in March 2024, following Pakistan’s 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand.
Azam was brought back to lead the national team, but the leadership change was surrounded by contentious statements that triggered a debate about the lack of solidarity within the team.
“If there are ever small misunderstandings, these happen in every family,” he said during his appearance on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s podcast focusing on his career and the team’s ongoing dynamics. “And when there are brothers, they also sometimes have disagreements over little things. But thankfully, there is nothing like that in this team.”
“Our effort is always to play with unity,” he continued. “This is not the time where there can be argument or discord. This is a time when everyone has to be involved in one process, moving together with unity toward achieving the same goal.”
Afridi said he had fully recovered from his injury last year.
He maintained it was the team’s “job to play cricket and bring joy to our nation.”
“We are also tired of telling people that we will win the World Cup,” he said with a smile. “But God willing, this time we will make this happen.”
Pakistan’s state minister for IT says 5G launch preparations underway to boost digital economy
- Shaza Fatima Khawaja says the move will create employment opportunities for Pakistan’s youth
- The country last completed the auction for 3G and 4G networks about ten years ago in April 2014
KARACHI: Pakistan State Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced that preparations are underway to launch 5G spectrum services to promote the digital economy in the country, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.
Last year, Pakistan’s federal cabinet greenlighted the much-anticipated auction of 5G spectrum services in the country. Pakistan last completed the auction for 3G and the more advanced 4G networks— the first of its kind in the country— in April 2014.
“The launch of 5G will facilitate the country’s youth and create enormous employment opportunities in the IT sector,” the report quoted the state minister as saying while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad in connection with the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
The state minister highlighted the government was liaising with optic fiber companies and working to bolster the volume of their exports, capitalizing on the country’s potential in this sector.
She said that five billion rupees had also been allocated for the skill development of youth.
Khawaja added that the incumbent coalition government was working to expand the exports of around 35 companies engaged in manufacturing mobile phones.
Pakistan throws weight behind full UN membership for Palestine, urges Security Council action
- UNGA last week overwhelmingly backed Palestinian bid to become full member by recognizing it was qualified to join
- Palestinian push for full UN membership comes seven months into war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip
KARACHI: Pakistan has expressed support for a “historic” call by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to admit the state of Palestine as a full member, the Foreign Office (FO) in Islamabad said on Friday, urging the UN Security Council to decide the matter “favorably.”
The UNGA last week overwhelmingly backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognizing it was qualified to join and recommending the UNSC “reconsider the matter favorably.” The vote by the 193-member General Assembly was a global survey of support for the Palestinian bid to become a full UN member — a move that would effectively recognize a Palestinian state — after the United States vetoed it in the UN Security Council last month.
“Pakistan supports the historic call made by the UN general assembly made at the 10th emergency session to admit the state of Palestine as a full member,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters at a weekly press briefing.
“The resolution determined that the state of Palestine is qualified for membership of the UN and recommended the security council to decide the matter favorably.”
Baloch said the UNSC had been provided another opportunity to lift its objections to the admission of Palestine to the UN and “restore the credibility of the assurances that have been given in support of the two-state solution.”
The Palestinian push for full UN membership comes seven months into a war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers illegal.
Palestinian health authorities say Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, mostly civilians after the war broke on Oct 7 when Hamas fighters stormed across the border into Israel.
Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on internationally agreed parameters and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
