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Friday, July 8, 2011

Supreme Court overruled LHC verdict on suspension of Hajj Policy 2011

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday overruled the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict on the suspension of Hajj Policy 2011 and has directed the government to allot the Hajj quota to all applicant tour operators by following the law and constitution from the next year; meanwhile the court also directed the government to implant the Hajj Policy in a transparent manner.

The short verdict was announced by a four member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Javed Iqbal and comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jeelani and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain on the plea of Ministry of Religious Affairs against the suspension of LHC verdict regarding the Hajj Policy 2011.
During the hearing Barristor Aitzaz Ahsan, Hamid Khan, Azhar Siddique, Ikram Chaudhry, and Owais Ahmad Advocate presented arguments on behalf of the tour operators; meanwhile Babar Awan presented arguments on behalf of Ministry of Religious Affairs, Akram Sheikh Advocate presented arguments on behalf of tour operators while Additional Attorney General KK Agha presented his arguments on the notice issued by the apex court.
When the hearing of the case started Ahmad Awais Advocate arguing before the court said that no agreement was struck between the Saudi government and Ministry of Religious Affairs, adding that his client was being discriminated by the government.
He said that delaying tactics are being used to deprive his client, adding that four, four people from a single family had given the Hajj quota by bypassing the rules and regulations.
Addition Attorney General KK Agha while replying on the court notice argued that arrangements of Hajj has been completed by the government, adding that in a meting with Saudi government complete plan of Hajj has been discussed.
He said that we gave respect regarding our relations with international community, adding that the government cannot request the Saudi government for fresh arrangements meanwhile he requested the apex court to cancel the LHC decision.
He said that the policies made by administration could not be challenged, adding that we are unable to request the Saudi government to issue more visas for the tour operators.
On behalf of tour operators Akram Sheikh Advocate questioned that according to which law these non-registered tour operators are asking for quota, adding that they are fighting for their personal benefits and not for the benefit of people; meanwhile he said that these non-registered tour operators illegally issuing advertisements in newspapers.
Babar Awan when started arguments on behalf of federation the apex court asked the Babar Awan that in a plea filed in Sindh high court the government agreed to issue quota to new tour operations on this Babar replied that the federation reviewing its stance because the reply was submitted without any consultation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
He said that the government banned the registration of new Hajj tour operators during this year, adding that no delaying tactics were being used for Hajj operation; meanwhile he said that the Hajj operation was delayed due to cases registered in courts. SANA