The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has introduced new rules mandating that all Hajj and Umrah organizers must obtain licenses and sign service provider agreements. This move is designed to protect pilgrims from fraud and enhance regulation of tour operators nationwide.
Under the new act, any organizer accused of defrauding a pilgrim will be investigated by a Complaint Disposal Committee consisting of senior officers in grade 20. This committee will assess cases and determine appropriate penalties for those found guilty.
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If an organizer is unhappy with the committee’s ruling, they can appeal to an Appellate Committee led by grade 21 officers. Offenders may face penalties, including temporary blacklisting and other sanctions.
Additionally, the Ministry can compensate defrauded pilgrims, and a monitoring system will be set up to oversee operations. These regulations aim to improve transparency, protect pilgrims’ rights, and raise service standards for Hajj and Umrah in Pakistan.
