JEDDAH, 24 January 2005 — A three-member committee has been set up to investigate complaints about lack of facilities for Pakistani pilgrims in the current Haj season, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq said yesterday.
“We are investigating the complaints and the committee will submit its report within a week. We received complaints from some Pakistani pilgrims regarding what they called poor arrangements and lack of facilities in the buildings rented for Haj.
“My ministry rented 450 buildings out of which 10 to 12 buildings were not up to the mark that caused the uproar,” the minister admitted while speaking to Arab News by telephone from Madinah.
“Lifts were not working properly. There were no basic amenities in the buildings. People were given substandard rooms. Groups of pilgrims were divided into A and B categories, but due to poor logistics, A category pilgrims were forced to stay in B category buildings. And some women were separated from their mehram (legal escorts). Some were not provided proper food and they also had to face other problems,” Ejaz added.
He said the inquiry committee comprises A.R. Abid, joint secretary at the Religious Affairs Ministry, Muhammad Serwar, deputy secretary, and Lt. Col. Sultan Maqsood, commanding officer of khuddam (Haj servicemen). “The committee will submit its report to me during my stay in the Kingdom,” said Ejaz.
Asked about poor services provided by private tour operators, the minister pledged to take the matter seriously and cancel the licenses of those found guilty.
“There were 259 private tour operators out of whom 10 to 15 operators did not do their work properly. Each tour operator deposited 1.5 million rupees as performance bond with the government and this amount will be forfeited from those found wanting in providing proper services. Some of them even failed to provide food in time and some did not provide proper lodging to pilgrims,” he said.
The minister promised to compensate those who were affected by the Haj administration’s shortcomings. A printed form will be distributed to pilgrims on their return journey on PIA in which they can file complaints and give suggestions.
The minister denied sacking Director General of Haj, Shahid Khan, for failing in his duties.
Referring to Umrah overstayers, the minister said: “A new Umrah policy is being adopted to contain the recurring problem. Plans are also under way to issue Umrah passport for each visitor in Ramadan. The passport will be used only for Umrah.”
From next year, Pakistani Umrah visitors will be brought under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ejaz said.
The minister said a record 150,000 pilgrims came from Pakistan this year to perform Haj. Ejaz commended the Saudi government for providing excellent services to all Haj pilgrims.
The minister, who attended the annual banquet for Haj delegations hosted by Crown Prince Abdullah at Qasr-e-Mina on Friday, said it was a great honor for him to address the gathering on behalf of all delegates.
