Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony has raised significant concerns regarding the management of Hajj and Zaireen operations, citing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism. These concerns were highlighted during the committee’s second meeting, chaired by Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, held at the Parliament House.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee’s meeting began with congratulations to Chairman Dogar, who expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him. The Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony provided a briefing on the ministry’s performance, during which the committee pointed out issues in the Hajj operations and Zaireen management. The committee also directed the Ministry to collaborate with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to prioritize addressing the issue of Pakistani beggars in Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman emphasized the need for proper arrangements to support religious tourists both domestically and internationally. He requested the Ministry to regulate a framework for Zaireen and present a visit schedule for both sides in the next committee meeting. Furthermore, the committee instructed the Secretary of the Ministry to finalize the composition of the Ziarat Management Committee and communicate with the Speaker for the nomination of a National Assembly member to the committee as per the established rules.

The meeting saw the participation of various members of the National Assembly, alongside the Secretary and senior officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony.