Pakistani pilgrims performing Hajj this year are spending a total of Rs 155 million on food. Each pilgrim paid 1360 Saudi Riyals specifically for meals as part of their Hajj package.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is providing pilgrims with food valued at 34 Riyals per person every day. This service covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for up to 40 days during their stay. A network of 22 catering companies in Mecca and 13 companies in Medina is responsible for supplying this food, sourced affordably from the open market.
On the day of Eid-ul-Adha (10th Zil Hajj), pilgrims will receive special meals. Breakfast includes omelette, halwa, khabas or roti, and tea with milk. Lunch features chicken bukhari (pillow), dal moong, roti, and an apple. Dinner will consist of potato mutton mince, mixed vegetables, roti, matanjan, and green tea. Juice, lassi, water, and fruits will accompany each meal.
A total of 115,391 Pakistani pilgrims are performing Hajj this year. This includes 88,380 under the government scheme and 27,011 under private schemes. However, the total Hajj quota allocated to Pakistan was 179,210 pilgrims. This means only 64.39% of the quota was utilized, resulting in 63,830 prospective pilgrims missing out on Hajj this year. The duration of the food service depends on the Hajj package, lasting 40-46 days for long packages and 22-25 days for short packages.
Also read:23,620 pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme: MORA
