Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 05th April, 2019) The Standing Committee for Religious Affairs has summoned Director General Hajj , Jeddah on alleged irregularities for arranging accommodation and transport for Hajjis.The committee meeting was held at Parliament House here on Friday . The meeting was presided over by the Maulana Asad Mehmood MNA. The meeting also sought detailed report on distributing Hajj quota to private tour operators allocated by Saudi government for Pakistan last year.
The committee directed Ministry of religious Affairs to prepare a comprehensive plan form installation of recycling plant at Federal capital for worn-out copies of Holy Quran and recommended CDA to provide land for the project.Secretary of Ministry of Religious Affairs told the meeting that according to last population census ,a quota for Hajjis has been allocated and some 186,000 Pakistani citizen would perform Hajj in 2019. Out of which 60 percent would go on Official Hajj scheme while 40 percent quota would be earmarked for the private sector.
In addition to this Saudi Arabia has been giving a special quota of 5000 Hajjis as a goodwill gesture to Pakistan for the last many years. Last year the ministry had given this special quota to private Hajj operators . However, this year the special quota of 5000 Hajji would be dealt under Official Hajj Scheme ."The Saudi government on the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged to give additional quota of 14000 Hajji to Pakistan but the same is not allotted yet.
When this quota would be confirmed , it will be distributed among official Hajj scheme and private Hajj operators .The member f the committee Shagufta Jamani raised objected on computerized balloting and asked ministry to adopt some transparent procedure as the balloting system is breaking the groups. Most of the time it is seen that wife is going on Hajj , while her husband's name could not come on the list.The committee expressed resentment over price hike of Islamic ritual of Hajj and directed the ministry to extend best facilities and provide possible concession to Hajjis this year.
