The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday reserved verdict on petitions against Haj Policy-2014.
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan was hearing petitions filed by Muhammad Arif Idrees and tour operators,
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique submitted that the Haj Policy-2014 was not framed as per the Supreme Court directions.
He said that the Religious Affairs Ministry had not allotted Haj quota to new Haj group organisers (HGOs) and it was a reason for costly Haj travel.
Azhar said that 19 old HGOs were allotted quota against merit and the ministry did not make any extensive exercise for allotment of quota on merit.
He said that the ministry had allotted a quota of 15,000 Hujjaj to HGOs after withdrawing it from the government Haj Scheme despite the fact that the government Haj scheme was far cheaper than the HGOs.
However, a law officer contended that the policy was framed on merit and under directions of the Apex Court.
He said that the ministry had withdrawn a 20 percent quota of HGOs in 2013 and signed an agreement with HGOs that it would allot additional quota in 2014. He said that 15,000 additional quota was being given to HGOs under the agreement. He pleaded the court to dismiss the petition.
The court after hearing the arguments of all parties reserved its verdict on petitions.