Pilgrims face problems due to govt inefficiency

Pakistani pilgrims are facing immense problems in Makkah due to the lack of arrangements by government administrators.

MAKKAH: Pilgrims who went for Hajj through the government scheme are facing immense problems due to lack of accommodation and unwillingness on the part of the administrators to provide any help.

Most of the buildings purchased by the Hajj administrators are 5km away from Haram Sharif, while according to laws, the accommodation should not be more than 2km from away.

Most of the pilgrims are living on footpaths and roads due to the negligence of the Pakistani Hajj administrators.

The situation worsened when DG Hajj Rao Shakeel was called back over corruption charges of millions of rupees in the guise of purchasing buildings for the pilgrims.

Also, the administration showed the rent of some buildings to be Saudi Riyal 3,600 (maximum expenditure assigned by Hajj Policy 2010 for accommodation) while the actual fare was Saudi Riyal 2,500.

Pilgrims from other countries like India and Indonesia are reportedly staying in better and cheaper accommodations and that too within the premises of the city.

The Parliamentary Committee on Religious Affairs pointed out faults in this regard but nothing has been done this regard as yet.