IT has been reported (April 2) that PIA has announced a cut in fares for Haj. It was also reported that Haj policy was pending for approval by the PM and his cabinet.

About two weeks have passed and then the prime minister went to London. But there are reports thateven afterthe policy is approved, it cannot be implemented owing to a pre-imposed stay order by the Sindh High Court. Legal wrangling will start after its approval by the prime minister or the cabinet. It is obvious that ordinary people availing the government quota will suffer most, while private Haj operators will be the beneficiaries of all delays and hurdles.

Six months have passed since the last Haj and we neither have a new policy nor has the previous one been renewed. No one appears interested. Even the ministry of Haj and the media are silent on the issue.

S. Rizwan ul Hassan Karachi