KARACHI: Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) has appealed Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to review the proposed upward revision in Umrah visa fee. In a statement, it said that Council of Saudi Arabian Ministers has proposed Saudi Riyal (SR) 2000 Umrah Visa to be levied for Umrah pilgrimage during 1438 Hijri. “Pakistan is the second largest Islamic country in respect to its population as around one million Pakistanis proceed to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and the decision will have large impact on the Pakistanis pilgrims,” it added.
TAAP stated it has been learnt that Council of Ministers has decided to revise Umrah visa fee while the Saudi Arabian government will bear a fee of SR 2000 on behalf of pilgrims who shall perform Umrah for first time in Hijri year 1438. However, pilgrims who want to perform Umrah second time in same year have to pay SR 2000 visa fee. TAAP said that if SR 2000 visa fee is enforced, millions of Pakistani Umrah pilgrims shall fear to get deprived from holy pilgrimage.
