National Assembly Spokesperson Denies Reports of Govt-Funded Umrah or Hajj Trips for Parliamentarians

Islamabad: The National Assembly spokesperson has dismissed reports claiming that a parliamentary delegation would perform Umrah or Hajj at government expense, stating that such news is baseless and misleading.

In an official clarification, the spokesperson said that members of the National Assembly are not entitled to any facility for Hajj or Umrah, nor can such a facility be provided under existing rules.

The spokesperson explained that under a resolution passed by the National Assembly in November 2016, a delegation of parliamentarians visits Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal each year strictly at their own expense.

According to the resolution, all members of the delegation bear their travel and accommodation costs themselves. The Ministry of Religious Affairs only facilitates administrative arrangements under standard operating procedures and does not incur any financial expenditure for the visit.

The spokesperson further clarified that any suggestion of a government-funded religious visit may reflect an individual member’s personal opinion, but no such proposal has been approved or sanctioned.