Hajj expenses can be reduced up to 50% next year: Minister

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Talha Mahmood has said that the next year's Hajj expenses can be significantly reduced by up to 50 percent due to timely measures taken by the government.

Addressing an event organized by Pakistan Citizens Forum in Islamabad, the minister credited the success of this year's Hajj to the exemplary arrangements made by Saudi Arabian government.

The minister assured to return the surplus funds from pilgrims' expenses and announced the provision of free medicines worth millions of rupees through pharmaceutical cooperation.