LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial Monday, hearing various petitions challenging Hajj Policy-2013 and process of quota allocation, directed Religious Affairs Ministry to allocate quota to new Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) offering lower rates for the hajj.

The chief justice passed the orders on the petitions filed by Travel Shop and others.

Today, petitioner's counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique submitted that Hajj's expenditures had been reduced in market due to hearing of the case by the court. He submitted that aspirant HGOs had offered Haj package at rate of Rs 2,85,000 whereas old HGOs also reduced their rates. However, he said that Rs 4,21,000 was being charged under the government-Hajj package which was quite high.

Additional Attorney General abdul Hai Gillani said that a quota of 910 hujjaj was available but after a 20 percent cut in the quota by Saudi Arabia, it was not possible to allocate it to new HGOs.

However, the chief justice rejecting the arguments directed to allot quota of 910 hujjaj to 18 new HGOs through a bidding process wherein top new 60 HGOs selected on merit by the ministry were allowed to take part.

The chief justice further directed that the quota should be given to those HGOs who offer inexpensive 40-days haj package with provision of facilities like food, transportation, and other facilities. The court adjourned further hearing till July 9.