PML-N criticises new govt Haj Policy

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday said that the recently announced Haj Policy has laid the foundation for a large financial scam.

“A record increase of Rs 6,460 has been made in the total expenses for Haj as compared to the expenses borne by pilgrims last year. The new Haj policy will increase hardships for the pilgrims,” stated party Information Secretary Muhammad Siddiqul Farooq while releasing a fact-sheet.

The fact-sheet said that for the first time in the country’s history, all pilgrims have been asked to pay Rs 500 for vaccinations.

“The non-Muslim government of India has fixed the return airfare to Jeddah at Rs 18,000 from every Indian city, despite higher fuel prices and longer distances than Pakistan. But the airline of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which offers concession Christmas rates to European passengers, is going to charge Rs 34,051 from every passenger,” it said.

It said the acquisition of residences in Mecca was once the responsibility of a committee comprised of federal and provincial representatives and led by the Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

This time, like last year, the task was entrusted to officials of the ministry who acquired 1,500 extra residences, causing a loss of Rs 50 million to the national exchequer.

“The scandal that we believe is going to surface under this policy will emerge from entrusting the arrangements for 50,000 pilgrims to the Haj Group Organisers under the Private Scheme. Under this scheme, one organiser is allowed to cater to a minimum of 185 and maximum of 585 pilgrims. The organisers offer packages of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 per pilgrim according to the facilities that they provide.”

The fact-sheet said that those travelling under the private scheme were asked to deposit their money directly with the organisers. However, there is no guarantee against any organiser receiving deposits from more than 585 persons.

This means that organisers can lure thousands of intending pilgrims, and thus amass deposits worth millions of rupees at an average rate of Rs 300,000 per pilgrim. The fact-sheet warned that the chances of a cheat absconding with the pilgrims’ money could not be ruled out. The government should learn from past scandals involving cooperatives, investment companies and the Taj Company, it said. The fact-sheet warned Prime Minister Jamali and his Cabinet of the possibility of a big scandal in the name of the sacred obligation of Haj. It said there were several flaws in the policy. The stay of the pilgrims was extended under the policy from 35 days to 41 days, which would increase their expenses.

“Last year there were four categories of residences according to rent. The rent for Category I was fixed at 2,100 Riyals and 1,000 Riyals for Category IV. This year, there will be only two categories with 1,500 Riyals rent for Category II,” it said. The opposition said the policy bans children under 18 years from performing Haj and, therefore, many parents who have no one to take care of their children in their absence will be deprived of their chance to perform Haj.

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