Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) on Friday, giving more time to the Religious Ministry, directed it to file the detailed record of Hajj Policy 2011 by February 21. An assistant director (Hajj) Ministry of Religious Affairs appeared before the court on Friday and sought more time to file a reply. The court accepted his request and directed him to ensure the filing of a reply by the next hearing date.
The CJ was holding proceedings on petition filed by a lawyer alleging irregularities on part of the ministry of religious affairs in awarding Hajj quotas among tour operators. Advocate Azhar Siddique, the petitioner, wished that the ministry be directed to provide all details regarding quota, keeping in view the right to information fundamentally guaranteed by Article 19-A of the Constitution. He stressed on the implementation of Hajj Polices on the basis of merit, fairness, equity and rationality; and without discrimination, nepotism and bias and vowed to strictly following the principles of natural justice for the allocation of Hajj quotas to the four operators. The court after hearing the petitioner at length called on the record of the Hajj police 2011 and adjourned the hearing till February 10.
