The National Assembly was informed on Monday that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is considering requiring Hajj Muavineen to fully focus on serving pilgrims, rather than performing Hajj themselves.

During the Question Hour in the National Assembly, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the Ministry is finalizing its recommendations in this regard. He explained that this measure aims to ensure that Hajj Muavineen remain available to assist and guide the Hujjaj throughout their pilgrimage in Makkah. The Minister said under this strategy Hajj Muavineen will not be permitted to wear Ahram while providing their services to the pilgrims during the Hajj days.

He further informed that the Ministerial Staff termed as Seasonal Staff are deputed for seasonal Hajj duties in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.  He said experienced staff is mostly deployed at Madinah Munawarrah and Jeddah Airports, Mission operation Offices, Lost and Found Cell Accommodation, Transportation, Complaint Management, Haram Guide and other duties. He, however, said they are deputed on rotation basis and their selection is made through a transparent selection process.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said Israel is committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, which is condemnable.

Initiating debate in the House regarding Israeli atrocities in Palestine, he said around sixty-five thousand innocent Palestinians, including women and children, have so far been martyred. He added that around one hundred and thirty thousand are critically injured, while the whereabouts of fifteen thousand people are not known.

The Law Minister said Pakistan has always supported its Palestinian brethren and extended assistance in form of food, medicines and other things to them.

Sahibzada Hamid Raza demanded of the government to convene a meeting of the OIC in Pakistan on the issue of Palestine.

Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal proposed bringing one hundred injured Palestinian families to Pakistan for medical treatment and healthcare.

At the outset, the House offered fateha for the departed souls of eight Pakistani, murdered in Iran, ex-Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad and others.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar led the fateha.