Pak official warns private tour operators

Chaudhry Muhammad Azam Samma, secretary in the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan, said that private tour operators who violate rules and regulations would have their license canceled and would be penalized.
He also said pilgrims could register complaints about the service and problems they face during Haj with the ministry, the consulate and at Pakistan house in Makkah and Madinah.
Samma was here to check on the preparations of his ministry.
“It’s the priority of the Pakistan government and Ministry of Religious Affairs to facilitate and give comfort to the Pakistani pilgrims. We are doing our best to provide them with transportation, accommodation, medical treatment if needed and to solve all other problems of the pilgrims,” he said.
More than 61,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived to date and to facilitate them, the Pakistani government arranged for 2,040 people as welfare staff, including a medical mission.
“This year there are no homeopathic doctors in the medical team. We established one dispensary in all the sections to look after the pilgrims. They will not face any problem with language, as we provided translators to help them,” he said.
The first Haj flight from Pakistan arrived on Sept. 19. The last return flight will be on Nov. 29. “Until now only one flight was delayed due to technical reasons. Otherwise all fights arrived on time and we will make sure they will continue their mission on time,” said Samma.