ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to look into complaints about inadequate accommodation arrangements in Makkah for Pakistani pilgrims.

“The president, taking note of reports of huge mismanagement in hiring accommodation and complaints about lack of basic facilities for the pilgrims, has sought a report from the FIA without delay,” president's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Friday.

“A number of Hajis have sent complains directly from Makkah to the presidency,” the spokesman said.

The Supreme Court has also taken suo motu notice of a letter from a Saudi prince, Bandar bin Khalid bin Sultan, about alleged embezzlement in renting the accommodation facilities.

Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Sahibzada Hamid Saeed Kazmi has denied allegations regarding sale of 10,000 stolen Haj forms with the connivance of his staff and allocation of quota to ineligible tour operators.

He said that some pilgrims hiring the services of private tour operators had not received visas because of a delay in the issuance of bar-codes by the Saudi government. DEATH SENTENCE: President Zardari has also sought a report from the minorities' affairs ministry on the sentencing to death on blasphemy charges of a Christian woman of Nankana Sahib.

Aasia Bibi was sentenced to death under Sections 295 B and C of the Pakistan Penal Code after an altercation between her and her co-workers over fetching water from fields.

According to media reports, police took her into protective custody to shield her from a mob and later registered a case against her.

The spokesman said the president had asked Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti to submit a report on the issue within three days.

Opinion

Editorial

Free, fair & timely
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Free, fair & timely

The stakeholders need to take a step back and let democracy take its course.
Virtual SCO summit
01 Jun, 2023

Virtual SCO summit

HOSTING multilateral summits is a matter of great prestige for states, as world leaders gather at the same table to...
Missing anchorperson
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Missing anchorperson

IT gives insight into the obduracy of those in whose custody Imran Riaz Khan is being held that multiple appeals ...
Constitutional courts
Updated 31 May, 2023

Constitutional courts

While the idea may not be without its merits, the establishment of a constitutional court cannot be done without national consensus.
Hunger pangs
31 May, 2023

Hunger pangs

A RECENTLY released report by two UN agencies should serve as a wake-up call to the ruling elite — that is, if ...
No-Tobacco Day
31 May, 2023

No-Tobacco Day

DESPITE successive governments’ efforts, tobacco use continues to remain a significant public health challenge for...