ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) took strong notice of the paucity of amenities for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims on Tuesday, inviting religious affairs ministry officials on July 4.
Chairman Noor Alam Khan, who presided over a PAC meeting, lambasted Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood’s performance, adding that everyone wanted to be a minister, but one had to function in that position.
“I saw the pilgrims’ hardship yesterday. “I have the pilgrims’ videos and written complaints,” Noor informed the committee.
“It’s odd that the entire ministry, including the minister himself, went to [perform] Hajj, and yet the conditions are poor,” he continued.
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“There was not a single complaint received during the previous minister’s [late Mufti Abdul Shakoor’s] tenure.” Last year, Shaheed Mufti performed an excellent job. On July 4, we will formally establish the Ministry of Religious Affairs.”
Separately, Noor told the reporters at Parliament House that each Hujjaj had gone to perform Hajj after paying the government Rs1.2 million, but they had encountered challenges with accommodation, food, and transportation in the holy places.
“This year’s situation is completely messed up. Even the President [Dr Arif Alvi] and Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have travelled there, yet the pilgrims are in distress. “The president and the minister should check on the pilgrims’ condition,” he continued.
Noor stated that private Hajj operators charged each pilgrim Rs2.5 million. Their permits should be revoked for failing to provide them with adequate facilities. Noor insisted that the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) investigate into the matter.
MPs’ salaries
Meanwhile, during the PAC meeting, Noor advocated for an increase in parliamentarian wages. He claimed that those already earning Rs1.5 million received a 300% rise.
Ajmal Gondal, Pakistan’s Auditor General, told the committee that the finance ministry might boost the budget if the National Assembly secretary submitted a letter to that effect. Noor stated that the law should be implemented by the finance ministry.
