INITIATIVES OF THE MINISTRY
Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony :: Initiatives
Hajj Policy-2024 / Hajj & Umrah (Regulation) Act, 2023
- Hajj & Umrah (Regulation) Act, 2023 has been approved by the Parliament and will be implemented after formulation of rules and regulations under this Act
Upscaling of Route to Makkah Project
- ‘Road to Makkah’ project was initiated from Islamabad airport during Hajj Operation-2019 and 25000 Hajis benefited
- The pre-conditions shared by KSA for upscaling the project have been completed by M/o RA & IH
- Approval of Royal Council of Saudi Arabia is required for upscaling the project to other four stations.
Reconstruction of Pakistan House, Madinah Munawwarah
- Saudi Authorities issued notice on 31.01.2023 for the demolition of Pakistan House Madinah-II
- The matter was taken with Saudi Authorities and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan to avoid imminent demolition
- Prime Minister Office was also requested on 21.02.2023 to take up the matter with Kingship of Saudi Arabia as the Pakistan House-II is extremely important for Hajj Operation
Zaireen Management Policy
- Federal Cabinet approved Zaireen Management Policy on 13th April,2021
- Signing of MOUs with IRAN,IRAQ and Syria under process
- Rules under Hajj and Umrah Act are being framed to regulate Umrah
PSDP Projects
- Kartarpur Bridge and Recycling Plant for shaheed Quran papers projects are extremely important but have been delayed due to non-provision of money on timely basis
Ban on Illegal printing and publication of the Holy Quran
- Illegal printing/publication of the Holy Quran was reported from Chenab Nager, Punjab
- Several litigation originated on illegal printing/publication of the Holy Quran on which the LHC took very serious note of the issue
- PMO constituted a high level committee which gave 16 directions all of which are being implemented by various organizations in coordination with MORA
Curbing of dissemination of online blasphemous material
- A lot of online blasphemous material was in circulation which was hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslims
- LHC took up the matter and issued strict directions for curbing it
- MORA is coordinating with all federal and provincial departments/agencies to implement the directions of the court
Interfaith Harmony Policy
- The Ministry drafted Policy on interfaith harmony
- In compliance with Cabinet Decision, National Security Advisor synergized the draft with National Security Policy for consideration of Cabinet (11.03.2022)
- The Final Draft is now with the Federal Cabinet for consideration/approval (since: 21.10.2022)
- Framing of IH Policy is linked with continuing of GSP Plus status of Pakistan
Re-Composition of National Commission for Minorities
- NCM was established on 02.07.1990
- Its composition was notified on 11.05.2020 for a period of 03 years
- Summary for the Cabinet for re-composition of NCM is with Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (15.03.2023)
Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC)
- PSGPC is constituted for management of Sikh religious rituals
- Last PSGPC was notified on 12.07.2019 and completed its 03 years
- Cabinet approved its re-composition but its notification not issued on the verbal directions of PMO
- Its notification needs to be issued, as it is constituted as a reciprocal activity under a Bilateral Protocol between India and Pakistan to preserve each others minority shrines