Early deadline to submit Hajj applications will not take effect until July 4: SHC
Bench clarified that the interim order will not affect those pilgrims who have already applied.
"For the last many years, the last date to submit application forms for Hajj for private operators was extended up to Ramazan 25," Petitioners’ lawyer, Muhammad Anwar Tariq. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The early deadline for Hajj applications for 2013 that the religious affairs ministry introduced this year will not take effect until July 4 as the high court extended its stay order.
The association of private Hajj tour operators had gone to court to complain that the ministry has imposed an earlier deadline this year even though it generally accepts applications until the end of Ramzan. They cited the religious affairs ministry, Sindh’s Hajj director and others as respondents.
Their lawyer, Muhammad Anwar Tariq, told the judges that the association’s members had valid licences to arrange tours to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims to perform Hajj. They have been doing this business smoothly and strictly in accordance with the government’s policy, he added.
“For the last many years, the last date to submit application forms for Hajj for private operators was extended up to Ramzan 25,” he recalled. But on June 14, the religious affairs ministry issued letters addressed to the all the provincial directors and directed them to complete the process of Hajj applications forms on or before June 18 without fail, he said.
The lawyer argued that no such notification has ever been issued and the letter in question was pasted on the website from where the plaintiffs have gathered information. “The main cause of concern is that during this short period of time it is not possible for the plaintiffs and other members of the association to complete all requirements,” Tariq claimed. He pleaded the court declare the earlier deadline illegal and suspend its operation until the final disposal of the case.
On June 17, the court had ordered that the letter issued by the religious affairs ministry will not take effect till June 19, when the stay was further extended till June 24. On Monday, the petitioner’s lawyer informed that the Balochistan High Court had also passed a stay order against the deadline given by the religious affairs ministry for private operators.
Sindh Hajj director Abdul Sattar Samtio, who also appeared on court’s notice, requested for time to file his comments. Allowing his request, the bench further extended the stay order till July 4. However, the bench clarified that the interim order will not affect those pilgrims who have already applied.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2013.
The early deadline for Hajj applications for 2013 that the religious affairs ministry introduced this year will not take effect until July 4 as the high court extended its stay order.
The association of private Hajj tour operators had gone to court to complain that the ministry has imposed an earlier deadline this year even though it generally accepts applications until the end of Ramzan. They cited the religious affairs ministry, Sindh’s Hajj director and others as respondents.
Their lawyer, Muhammad Anwar Tariq, told the judges that the association’s members had valid licences to arrange tours to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims to perform Hajj. They have been doing this business smoothly and strictly in accordance with the government’s policy, he added.
“For the last many years, the last date to submit application forms for Hajj for private operators was extended up to Ramzan 25,” he recalled. But on June 14, the religious affairs ministry issued letters addressed to the all the provincial directors and directed them to complete the process of Hajj applications forms on or before June 18 without fail, he said.
The lawyer argued that no such notification has ever been issued and the letter in question was pasted on the website from where the plaintiffs have gathered information. “The main cause of concern is that during this short period of time it is not possible for the plaintiffs and other members of the association to complete all requirements,” Tariq claimed. He pleaded the court declare the earlier deadline illegal and suspend its operation until the final disposal of the case.
On June 17, the court had ordered that the letter issued by the religious affairs ministry will not take effect till June 19, when the stay was further extended till June 24. On Monday, the petitioner’s lawyer informed that the Balochistan High Court had also passed a stay order against the deadline given by the religious affairs ministry for private operators.
Sindh Hajj director Abdul Sattar Samtio, who also appeared on court’s notice, requested for time to file his comments. Allowing his request, the bench further extended the stay order till July 4. However, the bench clarified that the interim order will not affect those pilgrims who have already applied.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2013.