ISLAMABAD, May 26: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs rejected a proposal by the PIA to increase the airfare for Haj.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq informed the committee that the national airlines intended to increase airfare by 20 per cent and efforts were being made to impress upon the PIA authorities not to increase airfares.
The committee unanimously rejected the proposal. The minister highlighted the salient features of the proposed Haj policy during a meeting of the committee at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
He said 140,000 intending pilgrims would perform Haj. He said those who could not perform Haj last year would be given preference. Besides, best possible accommodation would be provided for the pilgrims this year.
Mr Ijaz informed the committee that efforts were being made to get allocated space for the Pakistani pilgrims near Jamarat. The committee was given a detailed briefing about the procedure for the selection of Medical Mission, appointment of Khudamul Hujjaj and hiring of accommodation carrying all the basic facilities.
The members of the committee put forward a number of proposals for improving the arrangements for Ummrah Zaireen and also for the Hajis. These included special dress for the women, accommodating the women with either Mehram or with other female Hajis.
The members of the committee also proposed allowing of Haj by road. The committee was informed that the holding of Nadra card would be pre-requisite for Haj applicants.
It was further informed that the ministry of religious affairs would issue special identity cards to the Hajis wherein a passport number, ticket and blood group of the applicant would be incorporated.
The committee expressed its concern over the reports that tour operators who are supposed to facilitates Umrah pilgrimage create problems and that the ministry of religious affairs has no control over these tour operators.
The committee strongly recommended that tour operators engaged in the Umrah bus business must also get themselves registered with the ministry of religious affairs. The committee expressed concern over the conflicting reports about the deletion of material on Islam and ideology of Pakistan.
The minister for religious affairs informed the committee that the government was fully aware of people's sentiments and that any material against Islam, ideology of Pakistan or against the country's cultural values would not be allowed.
The meeting was also attended by Senators Mohammad Ajmal Khan, Nighat Mirza, Rashid Ahmed Khan, Abdul Malik Qadri, Syed Hidayatullah Shah and Maulvi Agha Mohammed.
