LAHORE, Nov 12: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Monday directed the ministry of religious affairs to submit a report about complaints filed by pilgrims who performed Haj this year and the subsequent steps taken by the ministry.

The chief justice also sought a report from the ministry about registration of new Haj group organisers (HGOs). The CJ was hearing several petitions against Haj Policy 2012.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) was holding an inquiry into the affairs of the religious ministry and objections previously raised by pilgrims about the Haj process.

The CJ adjourned hearing till Dec 10 and directed the CCP to hold the inquiry purely on merit.

Disqualification sought: Disqualification of PML-N MPA Shamsa Gohar has been sought from the Lahore High Court through a petition filed by her husband.

Petitioner Gohar Sarfraz Qureshi contended that Shamsa had concealed facts on the occasion of her marriage with him.

He said Shamsa contracted marriage with him in 2006 and showed her unmarried in the nikahnama (marriage certificate). He said after some time, he came to know that the woman he married was already married to Abid Ali.

The petitioner said Shamsa had contracted marriage with Ali on March 27, 2005, and concealed this fact at the time of nikah with him (Qureshi) solemnized on April 9, 2006.

He claimed that a proof of Shamsa’s divorce with Ali was not found in the record of the union council concerned.

Qureshi further accused his wife of receiving millions of rupees from national exchequer under the head of TA/DA to attend Punjab Assembly sessions. He said Shamsa belonged to Sialkot, however, remained settled in Lahore for the last four years.

The petitioner prayed to the court to invoke the provisions of articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution to declare the MPA disqualified being a dishonest person.