ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs has suggested balloting for the selection of Haj tour operators. At a meeting presided over by Senator Samiul Haq here on Wednesday, the committee observed that the selection of Haj tour operators was neither based on merit nor transparent as experienced tour operators had been ignored and new ones included in the list, says a press release.

The committee was discussing the Haj policy and criteria for registration of tour operators.

Maulana Samiul Haq said the committee members had reservations about the procedure adopted for selection of Haj tour operators. He suggested that the registration of tour operators should be cancelled and balloting be carried out for their selection.

Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq informed the committee that Haj operation had been improved and no major complaint was received last year.

He said 60,000 pilgrims shall perform Haj through group organizers. He said an advertisement seeking applications for group organizers had been released to the press and 868 applications were received.

According to the criteria for selection of Haj group organizers, those operators whose performance during Haj 2005 was satisfactory would be given preference for enlistment and allocation of seats for the year 2006 and the remaining seats would be distributed among the new applicants.

The committee was informed that the authorized Umrah operators running travel agencies and having experience of Haj operation under the private scheme with paid-up capital had bee registered and 84 new operators were selected as Haj group organizers for the year 2006.

The minister said the process for registration of Haj operators had been completed.

Regarding balloting for the registration of tour operators, the minister assured the committee that the proposal would be given due consideration while formulating policy for the next year.

The committee also discussed issues relating to Zakat and Ushr and called for improving the Zakat disbursement system.