Hajj is not only the fifth pillar of Islam but also the largest religious gathering or largest annual pilgrimage in the world. Last year more than 2 million people performed the greatest religious pilgrimage of the world. People all around the world participate in Hajj and thousands of Pakistanis also participate in Hajj every year. The facilities provided to Pakistani pilgrims/Hajjis are inadequate and of low quality.
Followings are some problems faced by Pakistani pilgrims/Hajjis;
1-Buildings in which pilgrims stay are at far distant places from Haram Shareef. Hajjis or pilgrims have to travel long distances to reach there.
2-There are no adequate facilities in these buildings. For example there are no adequate storage and cooking gas arrangements.
3-Due to lack of cooking facilities in buildings pilgrim/Hajjis have to eat their meals from market which are expensive and usually unhygienic.
4-Transport is also another problem for Pakistani Hajjis because there is no direct bus service from residence to Holy places and people have to change many buses to reach their destination.
5-Fare of taxis are very high (50 to 60 riyals), and all taxis are charging excessive fare as there are no meters in taxis.
6-Head office is also at long distance from residence of Hajjis.
7-There are no proper arrangements to guide Hajjis/pilgrims.
Pilgrims/Hajjis from other countries including India have many facilities due to their governments and management (indian Hajj Committee performed really well to facalitate their Hajjis). There are proper system of pick and drop in their buildings with many facilities in their buildings. Cooking facilities along with proper medical facilities helps them to perform Hajj in perfect environment.
All the above mentioned problems are being faced by many of my friends who are performing recent Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Government of Pakistan should need to pay attention on this issue and take steps to solve their problems.It also shows that Pakistan Hajj Policy 2010 has failed to facalitate PakistaniHajjis.It is shameful that Indian pilgrims/Hajjis have more facilities than Muslims of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.