Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday directed Ministry of Religious Affairs to monitor performance of Private Hajj Tour Operators and ensure that the package they offer is being executed in letter and spirit.
Chairing a meeting to review the Hajj arrangements for the year 2007 here, he also directed the Ministry to blacklist those operators who violate their commitments.
He aid best possible facilities be ensured to the Pakistani Hujjaj during their stay in Saudi Arabia by providing better accommodation, logistics and medical care.
Appreciating the facilities extended by the Saudi government, he said improvement in the infrastructural facilities and logistics would be a great help to all the Hujjaj coming from all over the world.
The Prime Minister thanked the Saudi government for increasing the number of pilgrims from Pakistan up to 1,60,000.
Earlier, in his presentation, Secretary Religious Affairs informed that Ministry of Religious Affairs has already made appropriate arrangements to ensure better accommodation, medical facilities and transportation to the Pakistani Hujjaj.
The meeting was informed that a total of 1,59,588 pilgrims will perform Hajj from Pakistan this year, of which 79,500 will perform under the government scheme and 80,088 will be facilitated by the private tour-operators.
The meeting was also informed that 1,62,855 Hajj applications were received under government Hajj scheme, which surpassed the allocated quota for Hajj 2007.
Therefore, computerised ballot for selection of successful applicants was conducted in the presence of the general public as well as media in order to ensure transparency in balloting, the meeting was further informed.