Senate panel grills ministry over Hajj quota loss
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has informed the Senate panel that the final number of intending Hajj pilgrims under private Hajj operators is subject to the approval of the quota by the Saudi government.
Ministry Secretary Dr Attaur Rehman briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs subcommittee, explaining that payments for Qadana and Tawafa services are deposited into accounts in Saudi Arabia. Once the funds are transferred from there, they will be disbursed among the organisers.
He noted that the funds could be used for the next Hajj if the system is maintained.
Subcommittee convener Senator Awn Abbas Bappi inquired about the deductions for pilgrims requesting refunds and sought details regarding correspondence with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
He also asked about any funds deposited by mistake.
The ministry's secretary assured that intending pilgrims would receive refunds.
Senator Bappi further questioned why the SBP had not increased the daily fund transfer limit. The ministry's secretary responded that only organisers with at least 14,000 riyals in their accounts were cleared.
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