(07 February, 2018)
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Wednesday said for the first time in the history of Pakistan, Government has announced Hajj Policy prior to official Hajj agreement with the Government of KSA and badly neglected the rights of private Hajj organizers.
Private Hajj Organizers had a share of 40 percent in Hajj Quota the last year while they had 50 percent share in the previous years, which is now reduced to just 33 percent in the current Hajj Policy which according to the Private Hajj Organizers is against the decision of Lahore and Peshawar high courts and is also against the recommendations of Hajj Policy Making Committee and Standing Committee of National Assembly for Hajj which have recommended 40 percent share to Private Hajj Organizers.
Mian Zahid Hussain said while talking to business community said that delay in balloting of pilgrims due to controversial Hajj policy is adversely affecting Hujjaj as well as the Private Hajj Organizers. Around 60 thousand pilgrims will perform Hajj through private organizers, for which they need significant time to make necessary arrangements for Hujjaj. Government is therefore, required to take immediate remedial actions for early resolution of the concerned issues, including delay in balloting.
The veteran business leader said that many questions have arise due to announcement of Hajj policy before official agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia causing agony to the intended pilgrims this years, an early Government response on recommendations of Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan is required to cater these issues so that pilgrims can get more facilities and private Hajj Organizers can play their role in the economic development of the Country.
The former minister said that Private Hajj Organizers provides the best services to pilgrims in term of their residence, travelling, food and organise workshops and training for them, which need Government support for exceeding pilgrims expectation during their sacred journey.
