Minister holds tour operators responsible for Hajj pilgrims’ losses

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Friday said the tour operators were responsible for the losses suffered by the Hajj pilgrims (Hujjaj).

Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, the minister said the private tour operators did not take necessary steps for serving the hajj pilgrims.

Unfortunately, the tour operators do not follow the laws, Yousuf regretted. Some people could not join Hujj due to a few persons, negligence, he added.

He revealed that Saudi Arabia had given a February 14 deadline to the private sector to submit 50 per cent amount. However, only 3,600 people had complied with the directives, Yousuf said.

With the extended deadline, he added, another 10,000 Hajj pilgrims deposited the money.

INQUIRY ORDERED

Yousuf reminded the audience that the current Hajj Policy was devised in November last year.

In the given scenario, he noted, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a committee to ascertain the facts and fix the responsibility. The inquiry panel was working to fulfil its mandate, he added.

HAJJ QUOTA

The minister said the Hajj quota [the number of Hajj pilgrims allowed by the Saudi government for a country] for Pakistan was 179,000.

About the private sector, he said 25,698 individuals would perform Hajj next month through the tour operators.

The government had made immaculate arrangements for Hajj pilgrims and the last Hajj flight would leave Pakistan on May 31.

Best possible preparations were being ensured for the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, he Yousuf said, adding that he visited the kingdom twice to discussed the related issues and monitor the affairs.

UNAUTHORISED TRAVEL AGENTS

On the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had earlier issued a stern warning against dealing with unauthorized travel agents and fraudulent Hajj campaigns.

In this connection, the Ministry of Interior announced that individuals found assisting or sheltering holders of invalid visas, such as tourist or visit visas, during the Hajj season might face fines up to $26,600.

Repeat offenses could lead to increased penalties.