ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Thursday directed the religious affairs ministry to submit the Zaireen (pilgrims) Management Policy to the panel to help identify gaps in its implementation.
It also directed the ministry to expedite security clearance and the issuance of registration certificates to pilgrimage organisers.
The committee recommended reducing the security deposit required from organisers to ease the financial burden on pilgrims.
It also asked the ministry to coordinate with the foreign affairs ministry to facilitate visas for members of minority communities wishing to visit their respective holy sites.
The Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony met under acting chairman Muhammad Ijazul Haq, who presided over the meeting in the absence of the panel’s chief, PTPs Amir Dogar. The chairman and other PTI members are not attending parliamentary committee sessions.
The committee decided to examine the Zaireen Management Policy to identify implementation gaps and assess the consistency of its regulatory framework.
The ministry informed the panel that 922 companies had obtained security clearance from the interior ministry, 282 had been processed for registration, and 261 registration certificates had been issued.
Expressing concern over the Rs1 million security deposit imposed on organisers, particularly small-scale operators, the committee recommended reviewing and reducing the amount to ease their financial burden.
It also stressed that all financial transactions and contractual arrangements in Haj operations must ensure transparency and accountability, and comply strictly with prescribed rules and competitive procurement procedures.-Kalbe Ali