Hajj 2012: NAB forms committee to check irregularities
Committee will be mandated to make proposals on Hajj policy implementation.
ISLAMABAD:
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has established a ‘prevention committee’ to oversee all Hajj operations this year.
The committee, scheduled to hold its first meeting on July 31 in Islamabad, has been constituted by NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, under section 33C of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, to check any irregularities in Hajj operations.
Tainted by lack of service provision and corruption scandals each year, Hajj operations have become the centre of mega embezzlement inquiries, which have involved former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son and other senior officials.
The prevention committee’s mandate will include making consensus recommendations on Hajj policy implementation, registration of Hajj organisers, hiring of buildings in Saudi Arabia, bookings and ticketing as well as running awareness campaigns.
According to the NAB media office, the committee has representation from the ministries of religious affairs, foreign affairs, finance, law justice and parliamentary affairs as well as interior. Additionally, the Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, cabinet division and representatives of private Hajj tour operators are also members of the committee.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2012.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has established a ‘prevention committee’ to oversee all Hajj operations this year.
The committee, scheduled to hold its first meeting on July 31 in Islamabad, has been constituted by NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, under section 33C of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, to check any irregularities in Hajj operations.
Tainted by lack of service provision and corruption scandals each year, Hajj operations have become the centre of mega embezzlement inquiries, which have involved former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son and other senior officials.
The prevention committee’s mandate will include making consensus recommendations on Hajj policy implementation, registration of Hajj organisers, hiring of buildings in Saudi Arabia, bookings and ticketing as well as running awareness campaigns.
According to the NAB media office, the committee has representation from the ministries of religious affairs, foreign affairs, finance, law justice and parliamentary affairs as well as interior. Additionally, the Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, cabinet division and representatives of private Hajj tour operators are also members of the committee.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2012.