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Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Uninomously Approves “ The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill, 2023” and “The Hajj and Umrah (Regulation) bill,2023.

Islamabad; August 3, 2023: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, chaired by Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, convened at the Parliament House today to deliberate on crucial legislative matters pertaining to religious affairs.

During the meeting, two significant bills were unanimously approved by the committee. The first bill, "The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill 2023," underwent a thorough clause-by-clause examination, and after considering various perspectives, it was passed without any amendments.

The second bill, "The Hajj and Umrah Regulation Bill 2023," was also discussed extensively. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Senator Talha Mahmood, emphasized the importance of this legislation in regulating Hajj and Umrah activities. The committee acknowledged the necessity for effective regulation, considering the absence of a current law governing these religious pilgrimages.

DG Hajj briefed the committee on the bill and highlighted the need for legal control over Umrah procedures. Senator Talha Mahmood provided insights into the bill's background, including the challenges faced by Hajj operators and the increasing number of pilgrims.

Additionally, measures to reduce Hajj expenses were discussed, including negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to provide medicines at lower costs and collaborating with Pakistani catering companies in Saudi Arabia to save on food expenses.

After extensive deliberation, the committee unanimously passed "The Hajj And Umrah Regulation Bill 2023." The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, expressed gratitude to all members for their valuable contributions in passing these crucial bills.

With the approval of "The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill 2023" and "The Hajj And Umrah Regulation Bill 2023," the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony reaffirms its commitment to promoting religious harmony and addressing important matters related to religious practices in Pakistan.