ISLAMABAD: Specific Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) have started fleecing intending pilgrims by offering thrice or even more higher packages than the government Hajj package despite the fact that religious ministry have not yet awarded quota to HGOs.
Various HGOs have introduced Hajj packages, starting from Rs 500,000 to Rs 1,200,000 which is twice or thrice or even more higher than the government Hajj packages of Rs 270,000 and Rs 280,000, said Abdul Jabbar, who want to perform the sacred religious obligation under Government Scheme but declared unsuccessful in the first Hajj balloting.
He said HGOs had started booking Hajj packages much earlier and without getting formal quota from the ministry. HGOs have offered 14 to 20 day packages and pilgrims are being offered residence to nearest building from Harram Sharif.
Matin, another intending pilgrim said economy packages holders are being offered residence facilities in Azizia. Other Hajj packages range from Rs 450,000 to Rs 550,000, he added.
He said some HGOs are offering packages ranging from Rs700, 000 to Rs 1400,000. Likewise 22 days package is being offered to Rs 750,000.
Ahmed Khan, another intending pilgrim said 40 to 43 days package starts from Rs 525,000.
An official of the ministry when contacted said the Ministry has updated the monitoring mechanism to regulate private package of Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).
The monitoring section has been assigned to ensure scrutiny of documents, keep proper record, ensure proper research, development system and even proper implementation of existing rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The Ministry has also taken various other steps to minimize private Hajj packages, he said adding each HGO is required to submit five percent performance guarantee, while new HGOs will have to submit 10 percent guarantee to the ministry before Hajj.
The guarantee amount would be returned after Hajj on showing satisfactory performance and on receiving no-complaint from private hujjaj. Each HGO is bound to sign an agreement with the individual Hujjaj regarding the facilities being offered in the package.
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