Pak Govt did its utmost to serve Haj pilgrims; Committee formed to investigate reports against Haj tour operators: Sardar Yusuf
- November 22, 2013, 2:10 pm
- World News
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JEDDAH, Nov 20 (INP): Pakistan's Federal Minister for Haj and Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf has said his government did its utmost for providing the best services to pilgrims this Haj season.
Yousuf was in the Kingdom at the invitation of Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar to attend the customary washing of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah on Monday.
Talking to reporters at a press conference here, the minister expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Saudi government for Haj.
A total of 143,000 Pakistanis performed Haj this year, he said, adding that 60 percent of them came under a government-sponsored scheme while the rest came with various private tour operators.
Regarding reports of mishandling of pilgrims by the private tour operators, the minister promised to take action against those operators who failed to provide prescribed facilities to pilgrims. "We have set up a three-man committee under the chairmanship of joint secretary Haj to look into the matter."
On the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani government did its utmost to provide the best facilities for the pilgrims, he said, adding that an electronic Haj monitoring system was introduced for the first time this year.
"In addition to the monitoring system, my ministry for the first time introduced a toll-free helpline for Pakistani pilgrims to get addressed their problems during Haj," Yousuf said.
He said he had visited the residences rented for the pilgrims and found everything up to scratch. From next year, all government-sponsored pilgrims will be accommodated in one area, the minister said.
He thanked Saudi authorities for providing space for the burial of Pakistani pilgrims who died during Haj. In all, 83 Pakistani pilgrims died during this year's Haj.
The minister said a compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees would be paid to the heirs of each deceased pilgrim.
Responding to a question on the increase in Haj expenses, the minister hinted at slashing the cost of the government-sponsored Haj package next year.
He said the Haj policy of the Pakistani government will be reviewed with the Saudi Haj minister at a meeting early next year.
INP/AH/SB
