SC disposed of plea on hike in Hajj, Umrah fares

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani resumed hearig of a plea moved by Zulfiqar Bhutta Advocate regarding charging high fares for Umrah by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Attorney General Molvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that PIA is charging Rs64,000 fare from Islamabad to Jaddah for Umrah while 67,500 for regular passengers.

In earlier hearing on Monday, Zulfiqar Bhutta, appearing in person, contended that the PIA was charging extra amount from the intending people who proceeded to the holy places.

He said it was done without justification as in ordinary days, the passengers were charged Rs42,000 to Rs43,000 each for economy class whereas for the same destination to Jeddah for intending pilgrims, the fares had been increased by Rs70,000.

The Chief Justice told the counsel that in another case they had sought a report and the respondent contended that it was increased due to fuel and tax adjustment as the special flights had to return empty from the destination.

Bhutta said that it might be for the Hajj flights but not for Umrah.

He said they were making huge profits out of the religious rituals.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011