LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday adjourned hearing of Haj quota case till September 14 after secretary Religious Affairs assured to allocate a Haj quota of 540 pilgrims to at least 10 new Haj group organisers (HGOs).
The chief justice passed orders on a petition moved filed by Ashfaq Ahmad Mirza and others against not allotting Haj quota to new Haj group organizers (HGOs) despite court orders.
Earlier, Secretary Religious Affairs Chaudhry Muhammad Azam Samaa appeared before the court, on being summoned and excused to give quota to new Haj Group Organisers (HGOS) as the Saudi government would not issue munazim number to them after Shaban 15.
However, the chief justice expressed annoyance on excuse to give quota and observed that court ordered to allot quota of 5000 pilgrims to new HGOs who qualify as per Haj policy 2012 but the ministry did not want to give quota. The court knew how to get its order implemented, the CJ further added.
The petitioner's counsel pleaded to initiate contempt proceedings against the secretary for disobeying court orders.
But, the chief justice allowed 15 minutes time to secretary for seeking instructions on the matter after the secretary made request for it.
Later, the secretary assured the court that a quota of 540 pilgrims would be allocated to new HGOs on merit. The quota would be allotted to atleast 10 HGOs before September 14, the secretary said and further added that the ministry would facilitate the new HGOs for obtaining approval and Munazim Number from Saudi authorities.
The chief justice put off the further hearing till September 14 after secretary's assurance.
The chief justice further directed secretary to ensure enrolment of New HGOs, which qualify Haj policy, by November 30 but the court barred new HGOs to approach ministry for enrolment before November 4.
The petitioners, in their petition, submitted that the court ordered religious ministry to allot a quota of 5000 pilgrims to new HGOs and complete the process by June 18.However, the respondents were delaying the matter to avoid allotment of quota to new HGOs, they added.
They pleaded the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for disobeying court order.
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