PM Gilani enlists foreign ministry’s help

Immediate inquiry called over inadequate arrangements made for Pakistani pilgrims.

ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of irregularities committed by ministry for religious affairs officials during this year’s Hajj, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has directed the ministry of foreign affairs to coordinate all arrangements at the government-to-government level with the Saudi authorities from next year.

According to the media office of the prime minister, Gilani has recalled the director general of Hajj of Pakistan and ordered an immediate inquiry over inadequate arrangements made by the directorate for the country’s pilgrims.

President Asif Ali Zardari has already asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct an inquiry into Hajj operations.

“Shifting of responsibility and playing a blame game is unacceptable. The foreign ministry should in future coordinate all arrangements at the government-to-government level for Hajj, as has been decided by the cabinet,” Gilani said.

Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has acknowledged that Hajj officials deployed in Saudi Arabia “did not work honestly” and blamed them for the difficulties faced by pilgrims. According to Kazmi, the officials deployed in Makkah and Jeddah had made poor arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims this year.

He clarified that the provision of facilities in question had not been the responsibility of the Saudi government. The problems faced by Pakistani pilgrims in five ‘Maktabs’ in Mina were due to inadequate provision by the contractors, hired by ‘Muasasa’ for South Asia. Media reports viewed his statement out of context, he said while acknowledging the brotherly ties and flood relief help provided by Saudi Arabia.

The prime minister expressed profound appreciation for the excellent arrangements always made by the government of Saudi Arabia. He said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz takes a close personal interest in the welfare of the pilgrims.  Under his direction the facilities for performance of Hajj have vastly improved. (Additional input from wires)

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2010.