Ashrafi warns against pilgrimage misuse

LAHORE:

Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi announced on Sunday that booking process for private Hajj pilgrims had officially commenced from Friday.

Ashrafi warned that no private entity was authorised to facilitate visas for beggars and promised strict action against any organisation found complicit in enabling the activities of the begging mafia. "If complaints against these groups are proven, there will be no forgiveness," he concluded.

The PUC chairman said Saudi Arabia began preparations for the upcoming Hajj immediately after conclusion of the previous one.