Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will take new initiatives to further reduce Hajj expenses from next year. He made the statement on Friday night at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while inaugurating the first Hajj flight of the year. Rahman said that despite forming the government on February 18, when most Hajj arrangements were already completed, the administration still managed to lower costs by about 12,000 taka this year.

The Prime Minister expressed optimism that expenses for next year’s pilgrims could be reduced further and that the government is working to improve management to ease pilgrims’ difficulties. He urged the departing pilgrims to pray for the peace and well-being of the nation and wished them a safe return.

The event was attended by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah. The first Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying 418 pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia at 12:20 a.m.