Forty-eight Umrah service companies have accused the Ministry of Haj for causing them losses amounting to SR160 million as a result of a temporary halt of its electronic Umrah visa service, an informed source said.

The ministry stopped its electronic services for 72 hours, the companies said, adding that they suffered losses because of their commitment to airline companies as well as hotels in Makkah and Madinah.

The companies may also face fines for violating contracts with nearly 3,000 foreign travel and tourism agencies, the source pointed out.

In another development, the Court of Appeal in the Makkah region endorsed the verdict issued by the Administrative Court in favor of the Haj Ministry, approving its decision to dissolve the board of directors of the Tawafa Organization for Iranian Pilgrims two years ago.

The organization’s board had appealed against the ministry’s decision, which was taken in the public interest.

The ministry had earlier warned the organization that it would not show any leniency toward performance.

The ministry had earlier instructed all Tawafa organizations to improve their performance and quality of work.