The Chief Justice Lahore High Court while hearing several contempt of court petitions against Ministry of Religious Affairs observed that, "It appears the ministry and Federal Board of Revenue have been staying aloof from the real issues of Hajj quota." The CJ adjourned further hearing on the contempt petitions to August 06 and directed the ministry and the FBR to come up with progress report.
The CJ also issued notice to the ministry till August 02 in another petition challenging the allocation of quota among sister-concern and family companies. The petitioner pointed out that these companies were registered in the names of family members and associates of the beneficiaries. The CJ regretted that even Rs 100 income tax payer tour operator was issued clearance certificates and allocated Hajj quota.
The court passed these remakes after a FBR official submitted its report and stated that 62 more private tour operators had been found tax defaulters while scrutiny of more 105 was in progress. The officer further told to the court that quota of more 3700 pilgrims had been retrieved from the defaulter tour operators. The CJ therefore directed the ministry to raise the figure to 5000 and allocate the same among the eligible tour operators. The CJ also directed the ministry to evolve a policy which could ensure allocation of quota on merit. The CJ remarked that due to flaws in tax collection system, big fishes remained unhurt and commoners were caught.
Some newly registered tour operators had filed the contempt of court petitions through Azhar Siddique and pointed out about discrimination in awarding of Hajj quota. They submitted that the court in its earlier order had directed the ministry to allocate Hajj quota among the new tour operators also. But the ministry ignored the order and awarded quota to previously registered operators only, the petitioners said and requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials of ministry.
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