Political orphans are unnecessarily creating a fuss over the 20th constitutional amendment, Federal Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Shah said on Sunday.
“The present government has given autonomy to the provinces and raising hue and cry over the constitutional amendment does not make sense,” he said while talking to the media.
The minister said the budget for the fiscal year 2012-13 would be presented in May and later the general elections would be held.
“The next general elections would be held on their scheduled time and in a transparent manner,” he said. “The new chief election commissioner would not be controversial and the upcoming general elections would take place under an independent election commission.”
He said the quota of haj operators, who showed better performance, would be increased. “We are grateful to the Saudi government for the timely completion of the haj operation in 2011,” he added.
NEW HAJ POLICY: The new haj policy would be framed in consultation with all stakeholders, the Khurshid Shah said at a workshop organised at a hotel on Sunday.
The day-long event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Shah said the haj policy for the year 2012 should be so framed in a way that intending pilgrims can fully avail the facilities that are being made available to them.
He further stressed the need to properly guide the intending pilgrims. “It would also be ensured that there is no increase in haj expenditures,” he added
He said action would be taken against those haj operators, whose performance during the last year’s haj fell below par.
Shah distributed cheques of Rs 300,000 each among the heirs of 10 hajjaj, who died during the pilgrimage last year.
