ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said the government was considering to restrict Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) to minimize their (VIP) executive packages up to only 25 percent by enhancing Economy Package to 75 percent.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice in National Assembly, regarding non-provision of the necessary facilities to Hujjaj by the Private Hajj Tour Operators, he said currently Economy Package of HGOs ranges from Rs 285,000 to 350,000 while Executive Package ranges from Rs 850,000 to Rs 1.289 million.
The restrictions would be imposed on HGOs in new agreement to be inked in 2016 after the expiry of current agreement this year. The restrictions would be incorporated in new Hajj policy.
HGOs are bound to provide agreed facilities; he said adding that special teams would be deployed in Saudi Arabia for registering complaints against Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs), who failed to provide promised facilities to intending pilgrims.
He urged private hujjaj to submit their complaints before the teams.
Last year the government had fined 18 HGOs, on failure to provide the promised facilities. A sum of 2.7 million had been paid to the pilgrims as compensation. In 2014 the quota of six HGOs had been reduced and they also fined Rs 500,000 each.
He said there are 740 registered HGOs in country. The ministry has received five percent cash guarantee per Haji from each HGO. The amount would only be refunded after getting clearance from private hujjaj.
He said the government package was Rs 262,000 for each Haji. A handsome amount would be refunded to government scheme pilgrims after Hajj.
This year 271,000 applications were received in government hajj scheme while the quota was only 71,000.
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