PAC notices hardships faced by Hajj pilgrims

Chairman Noor summons religious affairs ministry officials on July 4

ISLAMABAD:

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday took stern notice of the lack of facilities for the Pakistani Hajj pilgrims, summoning the religious affairs ministry officials on July 4.

Chairing a PAC meeting, Chairman Noor Alam Khan criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, saying that everybody wanted to become a minister but one had to perform in that capacity.

“Yesterday, I saw the plight of the pilgrims. I have the videos [sent by the pilgrims] and the written complaints,” Noor told the committee.

“It’s strange that the entire ministry, including the minister himself, had gone to [perform] Hajj, still the conditions are poor,” he added.

“During the tenure of previous minister [late Mufti Abdul Shakoor] not a single complaint was received. Shaheed Mufti did a very good work last year. We will call the ministry of religious affairs official on July 4.”

Separately, talking to the media at the Parliament House, Noor said that each Hujjaj had gone to perform Hajj after paying Rs1.2 million to the government, yet they faced problems relating to accommodation, food, and transportation in the holy lands.

“This year, the situation is totally messed up. Even President [Dr Arif Alvi] and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone there but the pilgrims are suffering. The president and the minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added.

Noor pointed out that private Hajj operators took Rs2.5 million from each pilgrim. Their licences should be cancelled for failing to provide the due facilities to them. The FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) should look into the matter, Noor stressed.

MPs’ salary

Meanwhile, during the PAC meeting, Noor called for increasing the salaries of the parliamentarians. He said that those who were already drawing a salary of Rs1.5 million got 300% increase.

Auditor General of Pakistan Ajmal Gondal told the committee that the finance ministry could increase the budget if the National Assembly secretary wrote the letter in this regard. Noor said that the finance ministry should implement the law.