The ministry of religious affairs has so far hired accommodations for over 65,947 intending Hajj pilgrims under the government scheme and 17 more buildings will be hired soon to accommodate the rest ones.
An official of the ministry told APP that the hajj policy 2012 was being implemented in a transparent way. The hajj flight operation would commence from September 17 and conclude by November end. Despite inflation and price hike only Rs 1,000 per person has been increased in Hajj fares.
He said an inquiry has already ordered to probe the causes of delayed submission of 1,200 government scheme Hajj applicants of Balochistan by some bank officials.
Stern action will be taken against the negligent bank officials. The cases of failed Hajj applicants of Balochistan will be considered sympathetically as they had submitted the applications before May 9, the last date for submitting Hajj applications, he said.
He said the scrutiny of 1,985 Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) would be completed by July 15. The enrolment would be completed on merit first. The decision about the enrolment (of HGOs) would be taken in light of the court decision.
The quota of some enrolled companies will be cancelled as per the orders of the Lahore High Court while the tax defaulters will also not be allotted quota, he added.
Quota has already been allotted to 721 HGOs. Stern action will be taken against the companies failing to provide adequate facilities to private scheme Hujjaj, he said.
He said that Pakistan had demanded 10,000 additional Hajj quota from Saudia Arabia to accommodate more intending pilgrims. He denied the impression that Hujjaj from India got residences near to the Harram Sharif as compared to Pakistanis. Efforts are underway to establish another Pakistan House in Makkah. Legal hindrances are in the way against setting up the third Pakistan House in the holy city, he said.
Special attention is being paid to provide quality training facilities to the intending Hajj pilgrims.
