The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to submit a comprehensive report by August 18 over doubling of fares during the Hajj and Umra season. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta. The petitioner said during Hajj, the fare of Rs 40, 000 was increased to Rs 80, 000 and even more, adding that his plea had been pending for the last one year and last year PIA chairman and defense secretary had not shown up in the hearing. The chief justice observed that it was an important matter which needed special attention.
He contended that the PIA normally charged Rs 42, 000 for Jeddah, while PIA’s return fare for Hajj was about Rs 120, 000 and for Umra, the price of ticket was between Rs 50,000 to 70,000.
He told the court that Ariana (Afghan International Airlines) return air fare for Umrah and Hajj was Rs43, 000, and Qatar Emirates International Airlines fares were also cheaper than PIA. After hearing the petitioner, the court directed the PIA to submit a comprehensive report by August 18. The CJ also asked Attorney General Anwarul Haq to look into the issue personally.
