ISLAMABAD (Online)- The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, Zakat, Ushr and Minorities Affairs, which met at the Parliament House Friday under the Chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Saleh Shah took a serious notice of absence of the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs from the meeting without any intimation, saying it reflects scant regard for the Parliamentary Committees which are an extension of the Parliament itself. The meeting was scheduled to discuss Haj policy 2009-10 including residential arrangements for intending pilgrim in Saudi Arabia along with the alleged irregularities committed with regard to allotment of Haj quota to tour operators by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Members of the Committee expressed the view that Haj is a sacred religious obligation and the Ministry and other government departments concerned are supposed to facilitate the intending pilgrims in performing this religious duty. Unfortunately a hassle-free Haj still appears to be a distant dream, they said. Everyone of us especially the Ministry has a responsibility to plan and execute Haj operation in a smooth manner so that people may be able to perform Haj with ease and facility. They specifically referred to the problems arising out of non-availability of CNIC and MRP facilities in certain areas of Balochistan and NWFP to meet the conditions imposed by the host government. They urged the government to expedite provision of these facilities to enable the intending pilgrims perform Haj smoothly. The meeting was postponed as a mark of protest without conducting any formal proceedings. The new date has been fixed for August 12, 2009 to discuss the same agenda. It was attended, among others, by Senators M Khan Sherani, M Zahid Khan, Dr. Abdul Khaliq, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Mst. Afia Zia, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq besides the MOS Religious Affairs Ms. Shagufta Jamani.