Islamabad:
The additional secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs informed the Permanent Committee of the National Assembly that a Hajj assistant will accompany every 150 pilgrims to provide assistance. In addition, the Ministry has saved four million riyals in transport costs for Hajj pilgrims.
The meeting of the Permanent Committee of Religious Affairs of the Senate, chaired by Senator Attaur Rehman, was held to discuss Hajj arrangements and related problems. The additional secretary declared that an acquisition committee of 12 members for the Hajj agreements had been formed.
The president of the Committee suggested to include a parliamentarian in the acquisition committee, highlighting that pilgrims face numerous problems every year.
The members of the Committee raised concerns about the selection process of Hajj attendees through the National Testing Service (NTS), noting that the NTS exam was leaked in the previous selection process. Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized that the leaked document was even distributed in a video, which claimed to have evidence.
In response, the additional secretary recognized isolated trap incidents, but defended the general process as transparent and merit -based. He pointed out that, in the past, Hajj attendees were appointed based on personal connections and recommendations, while now they must approve an exam.
NTS officials declared that, of 50,000 candidates, only two or three were captured with mobile phones during the test. However, Senator Bushra Butt criticized the NTS for not avoiding traps and the use of mobile phones during the exam. The president of the committee requested an exhaustive investigation into the matter.
The additional secretary also declared that if there is any accusation of financial corruption that involves NTS or the Ministry of Religious Affairs, they must present themselves formally.
With respect to the AUQAF department, he informed the committee that the Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of AUQAF Land. According to the law, anyone who occupies the land until 2010 is considered a tenant. He added that the income generated by the AUQAF properties are used for the maintenance of gurdwaras and temples.
Senator Ali Zafar pointed out that the Ministry of Law had not yet responded to the draft amendment of the Muslim Family Law. He mentioned that academics around the world are willing to provide an informative session on the bill through Zoom.
Senator Kamran Murtaza warned against complicating marriage and divorce laws, emphasizing that marriage is a social contract.
Senator Dr. Affan Ullah Khan warned that if the law is modified to include the Division of Property in Divorce cases, people could avoid marriage, as observed in Europe.
