Hajj Affair: Action ordered over cellphone purchase

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs has sought details of quota allotted to Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) this year and action against the corrupt officials of the ministry. Chairing a meeting of the committee, Senator Hamadullah directed the ministry to take action against the officials involved in the purchase of 90,000 mobile phones amounting to Rs90 million in violation of the rules last year. The corruption in hiring of buildings, transport should also be checked, he said, adding the VIP flight fare were paid at the rate of 600 passengers but the actual passengers were only 400 thus overpayments of 200 passengers worth millions were paid to the airline. Secretary Ministry of Religious Affair Shahid Khan briefed the committee about the Hajj arrangements adding that the ministry has earned profit of Rs310 million on deposits of Hajj dues.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.