Chairman, Frontier Customs Agents Group NWFP and member of the executive committee, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has demanded of the government to make arrangements for the return of the stranded Pakistani pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. In a press release issued here on Saturday, Sarhadi called for taking notice of the behaviour and attitude of travelling agents and PIA staffers posted in Saudi Arabia with the pilgrims of Umra.
He also demanded not only changes in the procedure of Umra, but also the abolishment of the monopoly of some particular agents to prevent pilgrims from becoming shuttle cocks between Makkah and Madina and for confirmation of their tickets and seats to pay attention to their worship.
He also suggested that the PIA booking office in Makkah situated on faraway on busy Shahra-e-Mateen should be shifted to closest venue near Haram Sharif like offices of the other airlines to prevent the wastage of the time of pilgrims. He said that due to the complicated procedure adopted by the travelling agents large number of seats on all airlines including PIA remained empty resulting in heavy loss to the national airline.
Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, who is also member of the Pakistan Railways Advisory Committee said that this year thirty thousands pilgrims from Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and other cities have gone for Umra and due to the lack of proper return arrangements most of them are still waiting on Jeddah Airport and before PIA office for their return.
He said that neither PIA has any return seat and nor they are allowed to enter PIA office. He said that according to some pilgrims who return from Jeddah hundreds of Pakistanis waiting for return with PIA tickets in their hands. These people have left with no money even for eating and drinking and living lives only on borrowing from others. Majorities of them are women and children.
The executive member of the SCCI demanded of both Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejaz-ul-Haq and Chairman PIA, Ahmad Saeed Chaudhry to initiate inquiry against the responsible officials and bring them into justice. He said that the federal minister himself should review his policy on Umra Travel Agents and tour operators and blacklist the companies known for their poor performance.
He demanded of the government to abolish the present Umra policy and frame a new one, take action against travelling agents responsible for creation of such situation and make arrangements for the return of the all stranded Pakistani pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.