ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs Shoukat Hayat Durrani has said that the payment of outstanding bills against those who performed Hajj under the special programme in 2009 and 2010 will have to be made by the beneficiaries themselves.
Talking to a news channel he said, special Hajj flights were arranged for Jeddah during Hajj season in 2009 and 2010. The arrangements in this regard were made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on the request of Interior Ministry. Arrangements for the pilgrims of special groups were also made in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the bills of the expenditures, incurred in this regard were also forwarded to the officials concerned and sponsors of the programme.
Special audit is underway in the Ministry of Religious Affairs while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is also looking into the matter, he said adding finally, it has been conveyed to the Ministry of Religious Affairs that the payment of the outstanding bills will have to be collected from the beneficiaries, who performed hajj under the program.
He clarified that it was completely out of the government hajj scheme and the ministry has all the record of the contingents which were sent to perform Hajj.
To a question he said, now, the notices have been issued to the relevant people for the payment of the outstanding bills, clarifying that partly some expenditures were borne by them while accommodation and some other charges will have to be paid by the pilgrims. It will take some time but, finally the matter will be settled, he hoped.
The FIA is facilitating this recovery, because after the scam was reported the criminal investigation into the case is with the agency, he said adding they are doing a very good job. Under a legal process, the notices have been issued to the beneficiaries, besides the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also nominated a focal person who can be contacted by those who want to make the payment.
There is a separate identified bill of outstanding payment in the ministry, he said adding, and if the payment is not made then other available options will be worked out. To a question he said there is no quota for anybody for Hajj.
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