5, April 2005	Tuesday	25 Safar 1426

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ISLAMABAD, April 4: The Senate Standing Committee

on Religious Affairs on Monday called for doing away with balloting for the selection of Haj applications and recommended that pilgrims be selected on ‘first come first serve’ basis. According to a press release, the committee which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Maulana Samiul Haq appreciated the government’s decision to restore the religion column in passport. It suggested that the already issued passports be taken back and new ones issued.

The press release said the committee made these recommendations while discussing the problems and difficulties faced by the people who performed Haj this year.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq informed the committee that a record number of 150,000 Pakistanis performed Haj this year. Out of the total, 95,000 Hajis availed accommodation facilities under the government scheme.

He informed the committee that 244 buildings were hired in Green category, which were located at a distance of 800 metres from Haram Sharif, whereas 180 buildings were hired in White category which were at a distance of not more than 1,300 metres.

The minister further told the committee that the buildings hired by the ministry were allocated to the Haj pilgrims through balloting with a view to ensuring that no favouritism was done.

Replying to a question, the minister stated that 270 doctors and paramedics deputed to Saudi Arabia performed their duties to the satisfaction of the Hajis.

He assured the committee that valuable suggestions put forward by the members would be given due consideration to ensure improvement in the procedure.

The committee chairman, Senator Maulana Samiul Haq, said Haj and Umra were religious obligations for Muslims, adding that and it was incumbent upon the members to remove or at least minimize the difficulties being faced by Hajis.

He called upon the officials of the religious affairs ministry to perform their duties with commitment and dedication.

The committee members suggested that a monitoring committee be sent to Saudi Arabia during Haj season to supervise the Haj arrangements and provide guidance to the authorities.

The Senate committee recommended that buildings be hired close to Haram Sharif and patients and old Hajis be accommodated there.

The meeting was attended, besides the chairman, by senators Asif Jatoi, Rashid Ahmed Khan, Hafiz Abdul Malik Qadri, Abdul Latif Ansari, Syed Hidayatullah Shah and Maulvi Agha Mohammad.

Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, Secretary Religious Affairs Wakil Ahmed Khan and senior officers of the ministry were also present at the meeting.