Govt should’ve fear of God in dealing with Haj matters: SC

 Directs allotment of Haj quota as per its 2013 judgment

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, while hearing petitions on Haj quota, remarked that decision makers should have fear of God while dealing with Haj matters.

During the hearing, the apex court directed the federal government to allot the Haj quota to old and fresh tour operators in accordance with its judgement delivered in 2013. A five-member larger bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmad, disposed of the petitions filed by the Private Haj Group Organisers (HGOs).

Appearing on notice, Khalid Masood Chaudhry, Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA), informed the court that it would not be possible to allot the quota to all the 2,033 HGOs. He submitted that the government would implement the apex court verdict in letter and spirit.

However, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh expressing dismay observed that the government didn’t pay heed to redress the situation since 2013, adding that the court cannot grant four decades for implementation of its order.

Justice Azmat observed that at least the decision makers should have fear of God in the Haj matters. He said that the court would have to consider criminal proceedings against those MORA officers, who are running the Haj tour companies.

The counsels further brought into the notice of the court that the government failed to implement the apex court's verdict of 2013 to allot quota on merit to which Justice Azmat said that now the apex court will get its order implemented in the matter.

The secretary, however, informed the court that the government had already sent a list of the HGOs to Saudi government on May 28, and sought more time for implementation of the court’s directives.

At the outset of the hearing, counsels representing the HGOs alleged that officials of the
MORA were operating Haj tour companies, adding their clients were ready to furnish primary evidence in this regard before the court.

The counsels further brought into the notice of the court that the government failed to implement the apex court's verdict of 2013 to allot the quota on merit to which Justice Azmat said that now the apex court will get its order implemented in the matter.

Later, the court, after disposing of all the pleas on the matter, ordered the government to allot the Haj quota to fresh and old HGOs in accordance with its 2013 judgment.