The Lahore High Court adjourned to September 01 the proceedings in several contempt of court petitions against Ministry of Religious Affairs and directed the ministry to formulate proper procedure and law for the distribution of the quota to Hajj operators.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial also remarked, "It appears that the ministry have no proper infrastructure to arrange the Hajj affairs and to look into the activities of the Hajj operators. The court also directed the ministry to evolve a policy, which could ensure allocation of quota on merit and discourage cartelisation of tour operators. The court remarked that due to flaws in tax collection system, big fishes remained unhurt and commoners were caught.
The court called for a detail report from the ministry and rose till next date of hearing. Some newly registered tour operators had filed the contempt of court petitions through Azhar Siddique and pointed out about discrimination on the part of the ministry in award of quota.
They had submitted that the court in its earlier order had directed the ministry to also allocate Hajj quota among the new tour operators. But the ministry ignored the order and awarded quota to previously registered operators only, the petitioners said and prayed to the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials of ministry.
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