Hajj Policy 2011: LHC issues stay order on quotas

Petitioners say the Hajj Ministry allotted quotas based on personal ties and political influences.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued a stay order on Wednesday on private tour operators’ Hajj quotas during the hearing of different petitions challenging the Hajj Policy 2011 and alleged discriminatory allotment of the quota for May 27.

A three-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry issued the order while hearing petitions filed by the Judicial Activism Panel, Travel Shop Private Limited and 12 other Hajj tour operators.

The petitioners requested the court to order an issuance of a merit-based Hajj quota and cancel all previous notifications.

They said that the Hajj Ministry allotted the quota's based on personal ties and political influences.

During the hearing, the chief justice assured that injustice will not be tolerated and everything will be done in accordance with the law.

The hearing has been adjourned till June 6.