National Assembly panel calls for easing rules for pilgrimage organisers

ISLAMABAD - The National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs has instructed the religious affairs ministry to submit a Zaireen (pilgrims) Management Policy for review, with the aim of identifying weaknesses in its implementation. The committee also called for an accelerated security clearance process and the issuance of registration certificates to pilgrimage organizers.

They proposed lowering the security deposit demanded from organizers to alleviate their financial strain on pilgrims. Additionally, the committee requested the ministry to collaborate with the foreign affairs ministry to streamline visa acquisition for minority community members seeking to visit their respective holy sites.

During the meeting chaired by Muhammad Ijazul Haq, representatives from the Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony deliberated on the Zaireen Management Policy to pinpoint implementation gaps and evaluate the uniformity of its regulatory framework. The ministry reported that 922 companies had secured security clearance from the interior ministry, 282 were in the process of registration, and 261 registration certificates had been granted.

Committee members expressed apprehension over the Rs1 million security deposit imposed on organizers, especially on small-scale operators, and urged a review and reduction of the deposit to make the process more affordable. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial transactions and contractual agreements related to Haj operations, adhering strictly to the prescribed rules and competitive procurement procedures.