Saudi govt has not decided on number of pilgrims, Covid SOPs for Haj, clarifies Qadri.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri clarified on Sunday that the Saudi Arabia government had not taken a decision regarding the number of pilgrims being allowed to perform Haj this year and the Covid SOPs to be followed.

In a video statement, the minister said that he had spoken to the Saudi Haj and Umrah minister. "The Saudi health ministry has made recommendations, but a decision has not yet been taken," he said.

"It is my responsibility to explain this to the people. Whenever a decision is taken, Saudi officials will take us into confidence. So far, a decision has not been taken regarding the number of pilgrims and Covid SOPs," he said.

Earlier today, the minister had said that the Saudi Arabia government has allowed 60,000 pilgrims to perform Haj this year under strict Covid-19 SOPs.

In a statement, he had said that 15,000 of the pilgrims will be local while the remaining 45,000 will be allowed from different parts of the world. The minister hoped that Pakistan would also get a quota in the 45,000 international pilgrims.

"In addition to making the announcement, the Saudi government has also issued a nine-page [document] regarding precautionary measures and conditions," he had said.

He had said that pilgrims between 18 to 60 years of age will be allowed to perform Haj and will also have to present a fitness certificate. Qadri also urged those wishing to perform Haj to continue their...