Accommodations hired for over 65,947 Hajj pilgrims

      ISLAMABAD, July 8 (APP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs has
so far hired accommodations for over 65,947 intending Hajj pilgrims
under government scheme and 17 more buildings will be hired soon to
to accommodate the rest ones.
     An official of the Ministry told APP that the Hajj policy
2012 was being implemented in a transparent way. The Hajj flight
operation would commence from September 17 and conclude by November
end. Despite inflation and price hike only Rs 1000 per person has
been increased in Hajj fares.       
      He said an inquiry has already ordered to probe the causes of
delayed submission of 1200 government scheme Hajj applicants of
Balochistan by some bank officials.   
      Stern action will be taken against the negligent bank
officials. The cases of failed Hajj applicants of Balochistan will
be considered sympathetically as they had submitted the applications
before May 9, the last date for submitting Hajj applications, he said.
      He said the scrutiny of 1985 Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs)
would be completed by July 15. The enrolment would be completed on
merit first. The decision about the enrolment (of HGOs) would be
taken in light of the court decision.
      The quota of some enrolled companies will be cancelled as
per the orders of the Lahore High Court while the tax defaulters
will also not be allotted quota, he added.
      Quota has already been allotted to 721 HGOs. Stern action
will be taken against the companies failing to provide adequate
facilities to private scheme Hujjaj, he said.
      He said that Pakistan had demanded 10,000 additional Hajj quota
from Saudia Arabia to accommodate more intending pilgrims.
        He denied the impression that Hujjaj from India got
residences near to the Harram Sharif as compared to Pakistanis.
      Efforts are underway to establish another Pakistan House in
Makkah. Legal hindrances are in the way against setting up
the third Pakistan House in the holy city, he said.
       Special attention is being paid to provide quality training
facilities to the intending Hajj pilgrims.