LHC prohibits private Hajj tour operators from booking

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The Lahore High Court (LHC) has prohibited private tour operators from accepting Hajj applications following the stay order on the Hajj quota allocation issued on May 2.
The LHC on Wednesday stayed the process of the allocation of the Hajj quota to the previously registered Hajj group organisers (HGOs) with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and sought a detailed reply from the ministry.
Issuing an interim order, Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that the allocation of quotas to only previously registered HGOs was a violation of the Hajj Policy 2012. Both new and old operators should be given equal opportunity to apply for the Hajj quota, the judge observed.
The judge stopped the quota allocation process and adjourned hearing of different group operators’ petitions till May 9.
The petitioners, through their counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique, submitted that due to the unjust distribution of the Hajj quota to private tour operators, it had become impossible for the common man to bear Hajj expenses.
They said the Hajj policy 2012 had been announced and a plan hatched to dish out the quota on personal preference.
The petitioners stated that the Supreme Court had observed in its July 7, 2011 order, that the government should observe transparency at the time of making 2012’s Hajj policy.

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