ISLAMABAD (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - With a renewed pledge to provide maximum facilities to intending pilgrims and ensure flawless arrangements for Hajj-2011, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan would start receiving applications from April 10 - almost six months before the commencement of pre-Hajj flight operation. The applications would be received through designated bank branches of Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.
This year, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurhseed Ahmed Shah would supervise the entire Hajj operation to ensure transparent and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. “I myself will supervise the next Hajj operation and try to make exemplary arrangements for the guests of Allah Almighty both in Pakistan and at the Holy land - Saudi Arabia,” the minister said while talking to APP.
He said no application form without having number of machine readable passport (MRP) would be entertained, advising the intending pilgrims to get their MRPs ready at the earliest to avoid any inconvenience.
In 2010, the bank branches were directed to accept requests along with photocopies of the receipts from those aspirants who had applied for MRPs due to low turn out of the applicants.
Having gone through bitter experience last year, the Ministry has also sought suggestions and comments from Hujjaj to improve arrangements for the upcoming Hajj.
“There are some complaints by pilgrims that they have not been provided the agreed accommodation in Makkah-tul-Mukarrama and Madina-tul-Munawara by some private Hajj operators,” official sources in the ministry told APP.
They said letters were being written to 10 percent Hujjaj randomly, who went to perform the religious obligation last year under the private scheme, according to quota of each Hajj Group Organizer (HGO).
They added that on gross violation of the agreement, licences of operators could be cancelled or their quota for next Hajj scheme could be curtailed.
Last year, around 160,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj under both the government and private schemes.
Besides, the ministry has constituted a Complaint Disposal Cell (CDC) to look into the complaints of pilgrims and address their grievances.
Last year, the Ministry had set up a “Hujjaj Compensation Fund” to ensure timely redressal of the grievances of pilgrims.
The Rs.425 million fund was aimed at compensating those pilgrims who fall victim of fraudulent operators either in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.
Hajj Group Organizers after getting Rs.5,000 each from around 85,000 pilgrims, who performed Hajj under the private scheme, had deposited Rs.425 million in the fund, which was set up on the recommendation of HGOs to provide “Safety Cover” to Hujjaj.
Around 300 intending pilgrims could not proceed to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj in 2009 due to negligence of some organizers.
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