IN a significant setback to Pakistan`s Haj preparations this year, 63,907 intending Pakistani pilgrims were unable to undertake the sacred journey due to administrative delays and mismanagement within the private Haj sector.

According to Pakistan`s Haj policy, the total quota of 179,210 pilgrims had been divided equally between the governmentand private-sector schemes. While the government-managed quota was successfully allocated and processed, the private sector struggled to meet official deadlines and policy requirements, resulting in thousandsbeingleftbehind.

A specific deadline had been given to deposit 25 per cent of the required amount, which was a prerequisite for initiating the bookingprocess.In the absence of these payments, bookings could not be processed. However, private operators initially struggled to comprehend the new policy regulations introduced by the Saudi government, and were unable to complete the formalities within the stipulated deadline.

It appears that some private operators were deliberately involved in something fishy, perhaps to shore up the big finances for their personal designs. Observers have called for greater oversight, transparency and timely coordination among the government, private operators and Saudi authorities to prevent such a crisis in the future.

Salah Ud Din Kakar Quetta