LAHORE–The Lahore High Court on Friday sought details from Ministry of Religious and Affairs about Haj expenditures before issuance of Haj policy.
Chief Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed directed the ministry to submit the details till Feb 21.
The court was a petition seeking directions for distribution of Haj quota on equality and the provision of details on the amount received for Haj services by the religious affairs ministry in 2011. Petitioner–Lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique impleaded the federal government, secretary religious affairs and others. Earlier, an assistant director Haj and a deputy attorney general appearing before the court sought time to file reply in the matter.
Petitioner submitted that Haj services had become an industry in Pakistan and the quota was given to Haj group organisers (HGO) on the basis of personal likes and dislikes.
He argued before the court that the petitioner a letter had asked the Haj Ministry to award the Haj quota on the basis of equality, transparency and performance. He had also requested for consulting all stakeholders before framing the Haj policy 2012 and ban HGOs from undue profit, he added
He said that the ministry was also asked to provide details of charges received by it for providing services like accommodation, insurance and others.
However, the respondent ministry with malafide intentions neither had replied the letter nor provided details asked by the petitioner.