LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Tuesday ordered Religious Affairs Ministry to hold bidding of 910 Hujjaj quota on July 11.
The court directed the Ministry to display list of 102 short listed new Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) eligible to participate in bidding on website by July 10. The court also allowed Ministry to include other new HGOs in the list, if they fulfil the criteria for the purpose. The single bench comprising LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the orders on petitions filed by Travel Shop and others challenging Haj Policy-2013 and allocation of Haj quota.
As proceedings started today, Additional Attorney General Abdul Hai Gillani informed the court that the chartered accountants engaged by the Ministry for selection of new HGOs demanded a period of 20 days for further short listing.
However, the court observed that the stand taken by the chartered accountants was incomprehensible because each criteria was duly marked and short listing could be done in a short time. The court held that the demand made by accountants showed that they were not working professionally.
The court ordered the Secretary Religious Affairs to submit a report on selection of chartered accountants and stop payment of remuneration to them till next date of hearing.
The court further said that it was necessary that the successful bidders should have time for booking accommodation at the holy places, therefore, the court could not wait for opinion of chartered accountants of the Ministry.
The petitioner's counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique pointed out that 66 HGOs were selected by the Ministry in 2012 on basis of criteria laid down in Haj Policy 2012 and it was also adopted in Haj Policy 2013.
The court allowed the said 66 HGOs to participate in the bidding,in order to short selection process.
Deputy Secretary Religious Affairs Ministry Farid Khattak, on court directions, placed a list of 58 HGOs which had Umrah experience and also relevant qualification. But, a standing counsel pointed out that 22 entries in the latest list also included in the list of HGOs for Haj policy 2012 whereas remaining 36 companies were new entries. However, the court allowed all 102 HGOs mentioned in both lists to take part in the bidding process, provided that they did not have any disqualification.
The court adjourning the further hearing till July 12 ordered the Ministry to hold bidding on July 11 and appointed two observers as well.
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