KARACHI: The custodianship of Mecca known as the House of God has become a hot subject of discussion in the Federal Capital.

The interest in the question has been recently aroused following the latest `series of unending Saudi Arabian bans` against pilgrims from Pakistan.

It is being generally asked whether Mecca, which has been a place of sanctity and pilgrimage for Muslims through long centuries in the past, should be accessible to Muslims from all countries without any restrictions or should its accessibility depend on the fulfilment of conditions `arbitrarily fixed` by the Government of the country [Saudi Arabia]... .

According to religious circles in Karachi, the Saudi Arabian Government`s continuous ban against Pakistani pilgrims has been `not only confusing but also shocking`. Why should a brother Muslim country make attempts to ... deprive thousands of Muslim brethren from Pakistan of the privilege of performing their religious obligation of Haj? It is being constantly asked here. ... It is now being openly stated in religious circles that the Saudi Arabian action ... is `not a commendable one`. News agencies