Bannu villagers seek action against Haj tour operators

BANNU: Around 200 people hailing from various villages here asked the government to take action against the Haj tour operators, who defrauded them of their hard-earned money.
They made the demand at a protest rally. Carrying banners and placards, the protesters, led by one Malik Saleemur Rehman, marched through various bazaars and gathered outside the Bannu Press Club to stage the protest.
Malik Saleemur Rehman, Farman Khan and Mohammad Rauf Khan said that the Haj tour operators swindled Rs375,000 from each applicant, adding that more than 200 people were deprived of their money. “We were told that we will leave for Saudi Arabia on September, 10. They even distributed Ihrams among us,” he said. The protesters asked the chief minister, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Accountability Bureau to look into the matter.