Saudi Govt will Charge to Carry Aab-e-Zam Zam as It’s no More Free for Pakistanis

Saudi Govt will Charge to Carry Aab-e-Zam Zam as It’s no More Free for Pakistanis:

Starting this year, pilgrims will be required to purchase Zamzam water instead of receiving it for free. Each pilgrim will only receive 5 liters of Zamzam water upon returning to Pakistan and will have to pay 1114 rupees per person, which is equivalent to 15 Saudi Riyals. As a result of this new rule, the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage will slightly increase for every pilgrim. A total of Rs. 200 million will need to be paid in dollars to the Saudi government this year under this category alone.

According to sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistani pilgrims will be provided with 896,000 liters of Zamzam water, and the price of the water is being charged in advance from 179,210 pilgrims. Meanwhile, the Saudi Hajj Affairs Committee has announced that residency permit applications can be submitted until the end of the current month. Accommodations for the pilgrims will prioritize safety measures.

Saudi officials implemented this new rule because the water was often transported in low-quality containers, causing transportation issues. In January, the Saudi government announced that individuals who are not pilgrims, including those with visitation or business visas, would not be allowed to bring any Aab-e-Zam Zam home.