The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony on Wednesday recommended the government to take effective measures to improve facilities for Hujjaj-e-Karaam and Umrah Zaireen.
The committee which met with Hafiz Hamdullah in the chair also directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to submit the draft of Hajj and Umrah Policy with the committee secretariat before next meeting to approve it during the next meeting.
Chairman Committee said the government needed to take effective steps for further improving the facilities for Hujjaj-e-Karaam and Umrah Zaireen. He also said that mechanism should be developed for Hajj and Umrah related affairs and about tour operators, under a single ministry.
Senator Nisar Muhammad informed the committee members about the issues related to problems of Hujjaj, and said that the instructions of Saudi government had been followed in this regard. "Every pilgrim has been provided 4/4 room and only six pilgrims have been allowed to live in a big room," he said.
Hamdullah said the residence of more Hujjaj should not be allowed in a single room. He further said the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) had not deputed its staff for guiding aged and women pilgrims at the airports.
Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-Ul-Haq suggested that the PIA officials should be convened in the next meeting to find a way out for solution of issues related to Hujjaj-e-Karaam and Umrah Zaireen.
To a question raised by Nisar Muhammad, the committee members were informed that the government had made adequate arrangements for disabled pilgrims and also planned to provide three time meal in future. It was informed that "Pakistani Nan would be provided to the Pakistani Hujjaj which helps decreasing stomach problems among Hujjaj whereas the government will provide one doctor to 200 Hujjaj".
Pir Muhammad Amin-Ul-Hasnat, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony told the committee that the pilgrims going to Iran, Iraq and Baghdad were untrained.
He suggested that the condition of Umrah should be fixed for issuance of license of tour operators.
The committee also discussed "Consideration of the education of the Holy Quran according to the recitation by sighting and with translation, learning by heart and with correct pronunciation bill, 2015", introduced by Senator Hafiz Hamdullah".