Lahore High Court, while adjourning to September 12 the proceedings in a petition filed by travelling companies against Hajj quota allocation to private tour operators on the basis of personal liking and political influence, observed that the ministry could not settle the matter between the parties as under Hajj Ordinance only a company judge could resolve the issue.
It passed these remarks when an official of the ministry informed the court that the ministry had settled the matter of allocation of quota between the parties. The court observed that it will examine on next date how they acted in violation of the law and the ordinance.
Meanwhile, the court issued notice to the ministry of religious affairs and others for September 12 after allowing about 100 applicants to become party in the case who had applied for Hajj and their applications were not allowed and issued notices to all the respondents for next date of hearing.
The petitioner, Burraq Jibrail International Travel and Tours (Pvt) Limited, had submitted through his counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique that by profession he is Hajj/Umrah Tour Operator and in this field for the last couple of years. He said the petitioner had vested right for quota to be allotted for Hajj, 2011 in view of the Hajj Policy, 2011. He prayed to the court to direct the respondent to grant him quota to carry out Hajjuj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.