QUETTA, Oct 31: The Quetta chapter of Jamait Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) has urged the government to take action against ‘corrupt’ officials in Nadra, banks and private travel agencies for allegedly fleecing intending pilgrims.

Addressing a press conference at the press club on Tuesday, former senator and JUI-F’s district president Hafiz Fazal Mohammad Barach said that applications for CNICs, deposited by people through private agents, were being delayed by Nadra on the pretext of verification.

He alleged that Nadra officials were demanding bribe for processing the applications.

He said that thousands of people had applied for CNICs, but their forms were pending in Nadra office for a year.

He called upon the federal government to direct Nadra officials to issue CNICs to applicants within three days so that they could be able to fulfil other formalities required for performing Haj.

Hafiz Barach demanded strict action against corrupt officials in the ministry of religious affairs and an impartial investigation to expose the alleged malpractices.

He said that if the government did not take notice of irregularities then the party would launch strong protest against corrupts practices of officials.