A special committee has penalized 53 companies for hiking prices illegally during the last Haj season.

The violating companies were caught from among a total of 203 Haj service establishments.

Hussein Al-Sharif, secretary-general for Haj Affairs, said the committee, which had officials from Interior, Commerce, Industry and Haj Ministries, had issued penalties ranging from closure for one year to fines to ensure that violations do not recur in the future.

The committee had pursued an investigation into the ministry’s findings in accordance with a royal decree.

The Ministry of Haj confirmed its commitment to protecting pilgrims’ interests and keeping prices in check according to an executive list governing domestic Haj services.