Ministry of Religious Affairs has prepared a draft bill for presenting in the National Assembly to establish a "Pakistan Pilgrim Commission" for making Hajj arrangements including, administrative matters, welfare of pilgrims and policy formulation, it is learnt.
According to main points of the draft Bill, the Federal Government would constitute a Commission by the name of the "Pakistan Pilgrim Commission" and it would perform its functions on the basis of policy guidelines issued by the Federal Government. The Commission would have power and authority, subject to the provisions, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, to create a charitable trust or endowment.
The Commission shall have its headquarters at Islamabad and as and when the Commission considers it functionally necessary, additional regional offices may be opened in provinces in consultation with the Federal Government.
The Commission shall consist of the following members, namely:-(i) Minister for Religious Affairs as member who shall also act as chairman of the Commission; (ii) Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs as member; (iii) two persons not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of Pakistan nominated by Finance division, Foreign affairs Division and, as, ex officio members; (iv) seven members shall be nominated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs from among the following categories of persons, namely:-(a) two members who have special knowledge of public administration, finance, education, culture or social work and Law; (b) one Muslim women member; (c) two members who have special knowledge of Muslim theology and law; (d) two members nominated by Hajj Organiser Association of Pakistan (HOAP).
The Commission shall perform its duties as follows: (i) to collect and disseminate information useful to pilgrims, and to arrange orientation and training programmes for pilgrims, (ii) to advise and assist pilgrims during their stay at the embarkation points in Pakistan, while proceeding to or returning from pilgrimage, in all matters including vaccination, inoculation, medical inspection, issue of pilgrim passes and foreign exchange, and to liaise with the local authorities concerned in such matters, (iii) to finalise the annual Haj plan with the approval of the Federal Government, in line with the Policy guidelines issued by Federal Government from time to time, and execute the plan, including the arrangements for travel by air or any other means, and to advise in matters relating to accommodations, (iv) to approve the budget estimates of the Commission and submit it to the Federal Government at least three months before the beginning of the financial year for its concurrence, (v) regulate the allotment of quota to pilgrim organisers as may be prescribed, (vi) approve allotment of quota of Hajj, Umrah and Ziarat amongst the registered Pilgrim organisers, (vii) approve criteria for categorisation of Pilgrim organisers, (viii) prepare code of conduct for Pilgrim organizers etc.
"Any pilgrim organiser which contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or the rules or violates the prescribed code of conduct shall, without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against it including its Chief Executive, Principal officer(s) and employees under this Act or any other law for the time being in force may face blacklisting of the company which may be permanent for future operations under the Federal Government or forfeiture of guarantees or punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees or both.
Any Pilgrim Organiser intending to organise pilgrim activities shall first apply to the Commission with a certificate from Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan certifying that it is a private limited company having a paid up capital to the extent and manner as prescribed by the Federal Government from time to time.
Every applicant to whom a pilgrim organiser licence is issued shall deposit with the Commission as soon as may be after the issuance of the licence, and in any case not later than such period as may be prescribed, a guarantee in the form of (a) a bank guarantee in such form and for such amount as may be approved by the Federal Government; and (b) a cash deposit to such amount as may be determined by the Federal Government. The Federal Government may revoke the licence of any pilgrim organiser who has been found guilty under subsection.