MORA receives 70 complaints against Private Hajj operators

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) has so far registered 70 complaints against (Private) Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) for their alleged violation of agreement with pilgrims, said an official of the Ministry Thursday.

Talking to APP he said, the complaints included non- provision of facilities promised to the pilgrims, who had performed the sacred religious ceremony under private hajj scheme.

He said no punitive action would be taken against the HGOs, who had violated the agreement with private hujjaj. This time a strict warning would be issued to the HGOs.  He said this year 180,000 people will perform hajj. Half of them will perform hajj under private scheme and same under the government scheme.

The ministry has demanded 20,000 additional quota from Saudi Arabia to accommodate maximum pilgrims. The ministry was planning to hire multi story buildings for accommodating hujjaj in Saudi Arabia.

Strict monitoring and vigilance of intending pilgrims would be ensured to easily locate them in case of any emergency.

Radio Frequency Identifying System (RFIS) would be installed in the Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) of intending pilgrims for easily locating the lost pilgrims.

This year 40,000 pilgrims would reach Madina Munawara directly due to the heavy rush at Jeddah airport being observed every year during the Hajj season, he said.

A contingent of 1790 Pakistan Khuddam ul Hujjaj and members of the Medical Mission would serve the Pakistani Hajj pilgrims. The hajj operation would be completed in a month. First Hajj flight would reach Saudi Arabia on September 7, 2013 while the last Hajj Flight would reach Saudi Arabia on October 9, 2013.

Post Hajj flight operations will begin with the departure of first Hajj flight from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan on October 19, 2013.

He said Hajj visas will be issued to pilgrims holding digital international Passports only (MRP). Pilgrims will be allowed to carry specially prepared Zamzam cans packed and supplied by Khadim ul Haramain Project for supply of Zamzam water.

All those airlines having licences to operate inside KSA and have offices in Saudi Arabia, including Makkah Mukarammah and Madina Munawarrah, and approved by the Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority, will be liable to transport Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.