Media watch: The Hajj fiasco

Media discusses steps taken by the govt in the wake of the Hajj scam that caused problems for thousands of pilgrims.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Haj scam probe

But the very fact that the Saudi authorities raised the issue with Islamabad shows the dimension of the chaos that gripped thousands of Hajis who at least during part of the pilgrimage remained virtually shelter-less or paid higher charges for accommodation. Now that the foreign ministry has been given a role in Haj affairs, we would like to ask in what way this will help future pilgrims. We hope the results of the inquiries will be made public and action taken against the guilty. (dawn.com)

Blame game

The government should be careful before accepting inadequate compensation if it wishes to avoid another scandal in a highly sensitive matter. Before thus letting the contractor off the hook, the authorities must work out whether the offer will compensate those affected for the spoiling of the once-in-a-lifetime religious duty. (nation.com.pk)

Nothing is sacred

After this debacle, the ministry of religious affairs and its officials ought to be kept away from anything to do with this holy rite. As a matter of fact, so badly have they tarnished the country’s reputation that Prime Minister Gilani has given the RA Minister, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, a shut up call after Science and Technology Minister Azam Khan Swati said that without Kazmi’s connivance no corruption would have been possible by other officials. (dailytimes.com.pk)

The Hajj

Moving from the immaturity of the political class, we should look at the serious lack of control over the bureaucracy. It was not becoming of our ambassador to Saudi Arabia to give a statement trashing the ministry of religious affairs in the manner that he did. The fallout, more than the incident itself, shows the government doesn’t really have its act together. (pakistantoday.com.pk)