Poor arrangements during Haj 2024 embarrass govt

LAHORE: Poor arrangements and complaints of irregularities during the 2024 Haj have seriously embarrassed the government by the host country.

According to a document available with The News, a senior official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in a letter addressed to the Pakistani ambassador in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, made a shocking revelation that the ‘Ministry has been approached’ by the Saudi ambassador in Pakistan regarding “Irregularities” and “Mismanagement” by the Office of Pilgrims Affairs Pakistan (OPAP).

The letter, written on September 18-2024, further stated that the ‘Ministry receives certain complaints viz a viz operation of Haj 2024 in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, especially during the Mashaire days. The complaints in the letter included shortage of beds (total 2,386) for pilgrims in six Makatib in Mina. The letter also revealed how Ahle Tashee Muslims (total 2,400) had to face difficulty due to the shortage of buses for Arafat. The Ahle Tashee persons performing Haj were paid no compensation for Dam/Kaffara that becomes Wajib on them due to improper arrangements.

The intending pilgrims submit more than Rs1 million to the government and the package promises major facilities required during Haj like transportation and accommodation. The shortage of beds and buses had not only troubled the pilgrims during the 2024 Haj but also raised several questions as to where the amount charged from Hajis in the names of these facilities had been used.