ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs will regulate the issues relating to Haj and Umrah as per Haj and Umrah Act (Regulation) Act, 2024 and separate funds will be established for Haj and Umrah.
President Asif Ali Zardari has given assent to the Haj and Umrah Act (Regulation) Act, 2024 on August 29 and its gazette notification was issued on August 30.
All matters including issuance of license and penalty for complaints will be dealt with under the new law. The Ministry of Religious Affairs, under the Haj and Umrah Act (Regulation) Act, 2024, will regulate all affairs of Haj through the Haj policy and plan which includes, inter-alia, allocation and distribution of Haj quota, Haj expenses, Haj packaging, selection of welfare staff, training and monitoring, etc.
Earlier, the ministry ran the Haj policy in the light of the Supreme Court decision. However, the Umrah operation will be regulated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the first time.
Under the Haj and Umrah Act (Regulation) Act, 2024, the policy of the Ministry of Umrah will provide guidance. Under the Haj and Umrah Act (Regulation) Act, 2024, the Haj or Umrah organizer shall be liable for any act, commission, omission, negligence or default in the provision of services which leads to hardship to any pilgrim by the HGO or UGO in violation of agreement during performance of the Haj or Umrah, as the case may be.
Composition and powers of complaint disposal committees: There shall be a four-member CDC chaired by an officer not below the rank of BPS-20 or equivalent for disposal of all complaints pertaining to violation of agreements during performance of Haj or Umrah resulting in hardship to the pilgrims. The CDC shall have powers to decide complaints subject to provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder.
Appellate committees: There shall be three-member appellate committees chaired by an officer not below the rank of BPS-21 or equivalent to hear and dispose of appeals against decision of CDCs. The CDC may impose penalty on an HGO or UGO in case of violation of agreement committed by them.
The major penalty shall include permanent or temporary blacklisting of HGO or UGOs, suspension, cancelation or rescinding of license for specific period, reduction of Haj quota for a period decided by CDC, in case of HGOs or forfeiture of performance guarantee.
The minor penalty shall include reduction of less than five percent quota in case of HGO for a period as may be decided by CDC, fine proportionate to violation or warning on account of violation of clauses of agreement.
The CDC shall have authority to pass an order for compensation to aggrieved pilgrims or intending pilgrim to the extent of claims that happen to be proved.