One only hopes that unlike last four Haj operations by PIA, this year things will hopefully improve as per claims of Minister Khursheed Shah. The onus for the mess lies not only on Ministry of Religious Affairs, but also PIA and Saudia which carry bulk of Pakistani Hajis. Last year the nexus between the former Director Marketing and few travel agents led to an artificial shortage for seats available, which resulted in fleecing of poor hajjis.
While it was not PIA that benefitted from this evil practice, it is to be blamed for appointing such controversial and callous men blinded by greed, whose circus acts were shown on YouTube dancing with a whiskey glass balanced on their head at an official party hosted by former MD, who has since been sacked. The PPP must be particularly careful because this is an election year and it cannot afford any more lapses or controversies. This government already has a very poor track record viz-a-viz Haj operations.
SHAHZAD KHALIL
Sialkot