PM takes notice of ‘official Hajj of 200 employees’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought an explanation from the religious affairs ministry over a report claiming that 200 ministry officials are going to perform Hajj on the government’s expense.

The Prime Minister's Focal Person on Digital Media, Muhammad Abubakar Umer, said that the premier has sought an explanation over this.

"The prime minister of Pakistan has sought an explanation from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It is a usual practice to send some staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to serve the pilgrims, but this report gives a different impression, for which an explanation has been sought," Umer said in a tweet.

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The report said that 35 people on the list are from Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakur's office alone, which includes five drivers, four gunmen, a cook and 11 personal secretaries and assistants. The report said the minister himself would also be performing Hajj this year.

The report quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying that the staff of the ministry goes every year to help pilgrims during Hajj. "Staff like drivers and gunmen are tagged along for help in works such as carrying luggage, etc," the report quoted the spokesperson as saying. It also said the trip for 200 individuals would cost "Rs170 million" of the taxpayer's money.