Hajj quota: LHC seeks reply from Ministry of Religious Affairs

Court was hearing petition challenging allotment of Hajj quota without receiving application from tour operators.

LAHORE: Justice Umar Ata Bandyal of Lahore High Court (LHC) sought a reply from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday. He was hearing a petition challenging the allotment of Hajj quota without receiving an application from new and old private Hajj tour operators.

The judge had already restrained the Ministry of Religious Affairs and tour operators from receiving pilgrims’ applications for Hajj, and on Friday he extended this stay till May 25.

Justice Bandyal was hearing petitions moved by 21 tour operators who challenged the allocation of Hajj quota on allegation of violation of Hajj Policy 2012. Petitioners’ counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique submitted that the LHC had issued a stay order against allocation of Hajj quota on May 2.

He alleged that the ministry had issued the quota to 21 tour operators earlier in violation of rules. He submitted that the ministry’s action was based on malafide intentions. He requested to restrain these tour operators from receiving applications.