4m riyals saved under Hajj costs
The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, chaired by Senator Attaur Rehman, was held to discuss Hajj arrangements and related issues. The Additional Secretary stated that a 12-member procurement committee had been formed for Hajj arrangements.
The committee chairman suggested including a parliamentarian in the procurement committee, highlighting that pilgrims face numerous issues every year.
Committee members raised concerns over the selection process of Hajj assistants through the National Testing Service (NTS), pointing out that the NTS exam paper was leaked in the previous selection process. Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized that the leaked paper was even circulated in a video, which he claimed to have as evidence.
In response, the Additional Secretary acknowledged isolated incidents of cheating but defended the overall process as transparent and merit-based. He noted that, in the past, Hajj assistants were appointed based on personal connections and recommendations, whereas now they must pass an exam.
NTS officials stated that, out of 50,000 candidates, only two or three were caught with mobile phones during the test. However, Senator Bushra Butt criticized the NTS for failing to prevent cheating and mobile phone usage during the exam. The committee chairman called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Additional Secretary also stated that if there are any allegations of financial corruption involving NTS or the Ministry of Religious Affairs, they should be formally brought forward.
Regarding the Auqaf Department, he informed the committee that the Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of Auqaf land. According to the law, anyone occupying the land until 2010 is considered a tenant. He added that the income generated from Auqaf properties is used for the maintenance of gurdwaras and temples.
Senator Ali Zafar noted that the Ministry of Law had yet to respond to the Muslim Family Law Amendment Bill. He mentioned that scholars from around the world are willing to provide a briefing on the bill via Zoom.
Senator Kamran Murtaza cautioned against complicating marriage and divorce laws, emphasizing that marriage is a social contract.
Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan warned that if the law is amended to include property division in divorce cases, people might avoid marriage, as has been observed in Europe.
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