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The cost of Hajj may increase this year by over one hundred thousand rupees because of hike in the US dollar’s exchange rate and rising airfares the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Thursday told a Senate panel.

According to the reports, “The Ministry of Religious Affairs has recommended an increase in the cost of Hajj package by Rs115,000. After, this hike the total cost of government Hajj package would become around Rs550,000,” said the Ministry of Religious Affairs Secretary Mushtaq Bhorana.

"The government Hajj package for the northern region will cost Rs550,000 while it will amount to Rs545,000 for the southern region per intending pilgrim,"

Chairman of the committee, Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, expressed his disappointment at the absence of Minister for Religious Affairs at the meeting and directed to ensure the minister attendance at the next meeting.

"The main reason for the increase is the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, in addition to an increase in airline fares, and other costs," the secretary added.