Expressing grave concern over the alleged mismanagement and irregularities in the Hajj arrangements in Saudi Arabia, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has ordered a high level inquiry to look into the matter and fix responsibility on the concerned officials for negligence.
"I have directed the Secretary of the Ministry to set up a high level inquiry to probe into the case thoroughly and take stern action against those who are involved in the irregularities occurred during the current Hajj season," the Minister told APP here on Tuesday.
A five-member committee formed by the federal government to get feedback on arrangements made for Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia had submitted its final report to the minister. The report, based on findings and recommendations of the committee, unveiled glaring flaws in the Hajj arrangements and signs of alleged corruption in acquisition process of accommodation for pilgrims.
The committee, headed by Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs, Mehboobullah Jan, obtained feedback from Hujjaj in Mina and Madina about the facilities provided to them by Pakistan's Hajj Mission. "Majority of pilgrims were dissatisfied with performance of the staff deputed to facilitate them," according to the findings.
"Comparison were also drawn between the facilities provided to the delegation members and those to ordinary pilgrims paying almost similar rent for accommodation to the Hajj Mission. The delegation found flaws in acquisition process of accommodation," it added. Kazmi also called an explanation of Director General, Directorate of Hajj, Jeddah, Rao Shakeel Ahmad who was responsible to provide due facilities to Pakistani Hujjaj in Makkah and Madina during the Hajj period.
Earlier, the Ministry filed cases against three Hajj Group Organisers with Federal Investigation Agency who did not take the intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj this year despite the pilgrims fulfilled all the requirements. While, the Complaint Disposal Cell (CDC) of the Ministry is compiling complaints against such private Hajj operators who showed negligence in providing facilities to pilgrims and violated their agreements.
To a question, the Minister strongly condemned the incidents of target killings and terrorist attack on main Ashura procession in Karachi. Kazmi said he would soon visit Karachi to meet notables, Ulema and Mashaikh of the city to ensure their active participation in restoring peace and harmony among various segments of the society.
He underlined the need of forging unity among various sects to effectively combat the wave of terrorism in the city of Karachi and other parts of the country. The Minister expressed the confidence that the nation with collective efforts would succeed in flushing out terrorists from the country. He vowed to deal with such elements with iron hands.