ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain disclosed before the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Wednesday that 50,000 Pakistani Zaireen had disappeared in Iraq while visiting the country.
The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, which met with its Chairman Senator Attaur Rehman in chair, discussed matters related to Haj 2024, including accommodation, food, transport facilities provided in Saudi Arabia and monitoring mechanisms and challenges faced by pilgrims, particularly at the Taftan border.
Issues of prolonged waits, lack of basic facilities, and high costs being faced by the Zaireen were also taken up at the meeting.
Responding to remarks of the Minister for Religious Affairs, Senator Raja Nasir Abbas said that passports of Pakistanis entering Iraq are collected at border by Iraqi authorities. The standing committee was informed that Zaireen for Iraq, Iran and Syria are monitored in groups and they are divided in 136 groups. It was informed that the Iraqi authorities manage their own border.
Senator Raja Nasir Abbas highlighted the long waiting periods and lack of basic facilities, with food and drink being very expensive and of poor quality. He suggested that some matters be managed by provincial governments and that involving them could bring significant improvements.
Additional Secretary of Religious Affairs informed the committee about a new policy for pilgrims to Iraq, Iran and Syria, which is pending cabinet approval. The committee was also informed that there is quota of 200 to 500 Zaireen coming to Pakistan from India and the same quota had not been increased since 1974.
Chairman of the standing committee observed that the government should take measures for promotion of religious tourism in the country.
Regarding printing of error-free copies of Quran, it was reported that drafts have been shared with the provinces for feedback. The committee was informed that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee operates with only two ministry staff and an annual budget of Rs6.4 million. The committee was informed that religious festivals of people from other religions are celebrated at the official level to promote interfaith harmony.
The standing committee was informed that the number of private Haj tour operators have been reduced from 902 to 162 with each having minimum quota of 500 pilgrims. It will further be brought down to 100 with each having minimum quota of 1,000.
The chairman of the committee said that complaints have been received that pilgrims falling under different packages were provided similar accommodation and food. The committee was informed that grievances of pilgrims from regular Haj schemes have been disposed of while complaints against private operators were being compiled.
It was further informed that a total of 81 Pakistani pilgrims, including 45 from regular scheme and 36 of private scheme, died in Saudi Arabia.
The standing committee ratified the decision of the Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani on the appointment of Senator Raja Abbas as Chairman of the Zaireen Management Committee.
Senator Gurdeep Singh suggested that Sikh religious celebrations be recognised at the state level, similar to other religions.
