JEDDAH: Commander of Makkah entrance centers and seasonal administrative committees at the Passports Department Maj. Gen. Mohammad Al-Otaibi, confirmed that there were fewer violations registered in comparison with the previous two Haj seasons, which shows that awareness on the part of citizens and expatriates has increased.
He said that administrative committees, during the past few days, issued a number of decisions against five citizens and residents, who didn’t have the appropriate permits, for transporting Haj pilgrims, in addition to 13 violators who didn’t have Haj permits. The total volume of penalties against these people reached SR130,000, and 60 days in prison, as well as defaming the four transporters, and the acquittal of the fifth. One of the vehicles was confiscated, he said. He pointed out that seasonal administrative committees are semi-legal entities that were formed according to a directive from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, which stipulated the formation of regular seasonal committees to be affiliated with the Passport Department in order to issue instant punishments against those who deserve it, especially those who transport illegal pilgrims.
Al-Otaibi said these committees take care of implementing punishments stipulated in the system, in addition to issuing administrative decisions against transporters of illegal pilgrims who are caught at the entrances of Makkah. He added that seasonal committees are present around the clock throughout the Haj season to issue decisions that include imprisonment, fines and possible confiscation of the vehicle used in transportation, as well as defamation and deportation of the violator if he is an expatriate.
The commander of the entrance centers of Makkah called on all citizens and residents to be committed to the recommendations of the authorities and get the Haj permit to avoid punishment, which could reach SR50,000 and a six-month prison sentence, in addition to the confiscation of the vehicle. If the violator is an expatriate he will be deported and prevented from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.
He said that administrative committees, during the past few days, issued a number of decisions against five citizens and residents, who didn’t have the appropriate permits, for transporting Haj pilgrims, in addition to 13 violators who didn’t have Haj permits. The total volume of penalties against these people reached SR130,000, and 60 days in prison, as well as defaming the four transporters, and the acquittal of the fifth. One of the vehicles was confiscated, he said. He pointed out that seasonal administrative committees are semi-legal entities that were formed according to a directive from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, which stipulated the formation of regular seasonal committees to be affiliated with the Passport Department in order to issue instant punishments against those who deserve it, especially those who transport illegal pilgrims.
Al-Otaibi said these committees take care of implementing punishments stipulated in the system, in addition to issuing administrative decisions against transporters of illegal pilgrims who are caught at the entrances of Makkah. He added that seasonal committees are present around the clock throughout the Haj season to issue decisions that include imprisonment, fines and possible confiscation of the vehicle used in transportation, as well as defamation and deportation of the violator if he is an expatriate.
The commander of the entrance centers of Makkah called on all citizens and residents to be committed to the recommendations of the authorities and get the Haj permit to avoid punishment, which could reach SR50,000 and a six-month prison sentence, in addition to the confiscation of the vehicle. If the violator is an expatriate he will be deported and prevented from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.
