Foundation of a Big Scandal
Released by Muhammed Siddique-ul-Farooque, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (N) in a Press Conference at Islamabad on June 22, 2004

The Hajj Policy for next five years that was announced by the Minister of Religious affairs on June 2, 2004 has laid the foundation of scandal bigger than that of the Taj Company scam. A record increase of 6460 rupees (fare: Rs. 5575, CVT: Rs.85, Service charges: Rs. 300, Vaccination: Rs. 500) has been made in total expenses of Hajj as compared to the expenses borne by the pilgrims last year, while it comes to 23 thousand rupees more that it was in 1999.

A new Hajj policy is meant to provide better facilities to the pilgrims, but this time it would increase their hardships.

It is for the first time in Pakistan's history that every pilgrim has to pay 500 rupees for vaccination.

The non-Muslim government of India has fixed the return airfare to Jeddah at 18,000 rupees from every Indian city despite higher fuel prices and longer distances than Pakistan. But the airline of Islamic Republic of Pakistan that offers concession Christmas rates to European passengers is going to charge Rs. 34,051 as "worship tax" from every passenger.

Acquisition of residences in Makka used to be the responsibility of a committee composed of federal and provincial representatives led by Pakistani ambassador for Saudi Arabia. This time the task has again entrusted like last year to officials of the ministry, who had acquired last year 1500 residences more than the required number causing a loss of 3,150,000 Riyals or 50 million rupees to the national exchequer. Responsibility of that oversight has not yet been fixed, nor the people have any knowledge of what measures, if any, have been taken to recover the amount.

The scandal that we believe is going to surface under this policy would emerge from entrusting arrangements for 50 thousand pilgrims to Hajj Group Organizers under the Private Scheme. Under this scheme, one organizer is allowed to cater for a minimum of 185 and maximum 585 pilgrims. The organizers offer packages of two lac to five lac rupees per pilgrim according to the facilities that they provide. Those traveling under the private scheme have been asked to deposit their money directly with the organizers. However, there is no guarantee against any organizer receiving deposits from more than 585 persons. Some people have taken advantage of similar ambiguities in the past. So there is every possibility that an organizer would lure thousands of intending pilgrims, and thus amass deposits worth millions of rupees at an average rate of 3 lac rupees per pilgrim seven months before the Hajj season. Even if an organizer keeps in the limit of 585 pilgrims, he would receive a total of 170 million rupees, while he would have to pay only 1.5 million as registration fee and 2000 rupees per pilgrim as security - a total of 1.17 million rupees to the ministry. Hence the chances of a cheat absconding with the rest of the money without being apprehended cannot be ruled out. The government should learn from the past scandals of cooperatives, investment companies and the Taj Company. As a matter of fact, known persons and their relatives involved in the Cooperatives Scandal now occupy high offices in the government, and the victims of their scam have remained helpless.

I forewarn the Prime Minister and his cabinet, who have approved the new Hajj policy, of the possibility of a big scandal in the name of the sacred obligation of Hajj. The responsibility of such an eventuality will lie with the Federal Cabinet, collectively and individually, if they fail to take immediate and effective measures to forestall it and let the pilgrims deprived of their money. It is also said that the number of pilgrims under government scheme has been reduced this year to 100,000 from 130,000 allowed last year, while under Private Scheme (Hajj Group Organizers) the number has been increased to 50,000 as compared to 10,000allowed last year, all for the benefit of certain vested interests.

Other Flaws of Hajj Policy

1. Personal expenses quota for each pilgrim has been fixed at 1200 dollars, while a green residence pilgrim will be given traveler cheques of hardly 920 Riyals or 240 dollars after compulsory deductions. Actually the expenses will total 1590 Riyals (food: 800 Riyals; sacrifice: 370 Riyals; Ziarat: 100 Riyals; and gifts: 320 Riyals)

2. It was promised in Hajj conferences that the stay in Saudi Arabia would not be over 35 days, but the policy has extended it to 41 days that will cause increase in personal expenses.

3. Last year there were four categories of residences according to their rent. The rent for Category I was fixed at 2100 Riyals, and that of Category IV was 1000 Riyals. This year there will be only two categories of residences. Category I will cost 2150 Riyals and Category II will be available for 1500 Riyals. It means that a pilgrim with a Category IV residence in mind will have to pay 500 Riyals more under the new policy - an increase of 8000 rupees. It is unfair.

4. Since the government scheme quota has been drastically cut, most people will approach Hajj Group Organizers, who will charge extra money from simple people, and most of them are likely to be cheated.

5. A large number of middle class people will be unable to perform Hajj due to increase of 6460 rupees under government scheme and 14460 rupees for Category 4 pilgrims.

6. The Minister of Religious Affairs had promised to accommodate all the 47,546 intending pilgrims, who were dropped in last year's draw, but he has backed out of the promise and this facility has been withdrawn.

7. The policy has banned children under 18 years from performing Hajj this year. Many parents, who have no one to take care of their children in their absence, will be deprived of their chance to perform Hajj due to this ban.

8. It has been promised to improve transport arrangements this year, but the policy is silent about refund of tickets if transport is not used for return from Mashair, while they were allowed to get the refund amounting to 185 Riyals in the past.

9. Last year the number of Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj was fixed at 480 with 270 in medical mission, 250 seasonal duty staff, 30 ulema master trainers and journalists, and 40 bank staff. The number of Khuddam and welfare staff has not been disclosed this year.

10. Life-saving drugs were unavailable last year in the dispensaries causing great discomfort. The new policy is silent in this matter.

11. The new policy has announced opening of five hajj camps, but no announcement has been made to provide air flights from three cities that will cause much discomfort to pilgrims from Sukkhur, Multan and Faisalabad.

12. The complete policy has not yet been announced creating suspicions and doubts among the minds of the people.