The Lahore High Court (LHC) has extended stay order until May 29 against allotment of government Hajj quota of 15,000 persons to private tour operators besides seeking written reply from ministry of religious affairs.
Justice Khalid Mehmood of LHC took up for hearing Hajj quota allotment to private tour operators’ case on Friday.
The court was told by the federation that quota for 15,000 pilgrims was allotted to private tour operators for the very reason that they were allotted less quota in the previous year. Allotting Hajj quota to private tour operators was part of an agreement.
Expressing annoyance, Justice Khalid Mehmood said, “The government is arranging Hajj at charges of Rs 272,000 while private tour operators are receiving the charges ranging between Rs 400,000 to Rs 600,000. The government cannot be allowed to squeeze the blood of people. This is correct that the courts don’t interfere in policy matters but court will interfere where policy has been worked out against the public interest.”