I'm not considered worthy of being briefed on Hajj matters: state minister

State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Kheal Das revealed in the National Assembly on Friday that he was not given any briefing on Hajj-related matters by his ministry, shocking the lawmakers during the question-hour session.

It prompted Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah to seek an explanation by Monday, directing the minister to formally inquire why he was not briefed.

Kheal Das, who belongs to Hindu community, expressed his disappointment in the assembly, stating that the ministry of religious affairs did not consider him "worthy" of being briefed on the Hajj operation.

"I apologize for not answering questions related to Hajj and the ministry," the state minister said while assuring the public that he would fulfill his responsibilities in addressing their concerns.

Deputy Speaker Shah reprimanded the secretary of religious affairs for not taking Parliament seriously, directing the minister to obtain detailed information from his ministry. "As minister of state, you are responsible for answering questions related to your ministry," Shah said, instructing Kheal Das to ask the ministry in writing why he was not briefed.

The deputy speaker warned of strict action against the secretary and other officials if a satisfactory response was not provided by Monday, adding that formal instructions would also be issued from the National Assembly secretariat to ensure compliance.

Tendering apology for not being able to answer questions, Kheal Das said that he already conveyed to his ministry officials that he had been given portfolio of state minister for religious affairs by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying he was fully responsible for responding to all the questions asked in the House.

"My priority will be to attend Parliament and respond questions," Kheal Das said, asking the deputy speaker to defer the questions until he gets briefing on the issues being raised in the assembly. "It should be conceived that he [Kheal Das] is a Hindu and can't answer questions related to religious affairs," he said on the floor of the House.

"Despite being Hindu, I ensure that it's my duty to answer these questions," he continued, adding that he would perform his duties as the minister to facilitate people in Hajj operations. During his interaction with the deputy speaker, Kheal Das revealed that Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf had gone to perform Umrah.