Islamabad:
The Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Further Secretary informed the National Assembly’s standing committee 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 Senate’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, chairman of Senator Attaur Rehman, was held to discuss Hajj events and related questions. The extra secretary stated that a purchase committee of 12 members had been set up to Hajj events.
The committee chairman suggested to include a parliamentarian in the purchasing committee, which emphasizes that pilgrims face several questions each year.
Committee members raised concerns about the selection process for Hajj assistants through the National Testing Service (NTS) and pointed out that the NTS -Examination document was leaked in the previous selection process. Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized that the leaked paper was even circulated in a video he claimed to have as evidence.
In response, the additional secretary recognized isolated incidents with cheating, but defended the overall process as transparent and credit -based. He noted that Hajj assistants in the past were appointed on the basis of personal connections and recommendations while now having an exam.
NTS officials said that only two or three or three were caught with cell phones during the test. However, Senator Bushra Butt criticized NTS for not preventing use and mobile phone use during the exam. The committee chairman called for a thorough investigation into the case.
The extra secretary also stated that if there are any allegations of financial corruption involving NTS or the Ministry of Religious Affairs, they must be formally presented.
With regard to the AUQAF department, he informed the committee that the Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of Auqaf country. According to the law, anyone who occupies the land is considered until 2010 as a tenant. He added that the income generated from AUQAF properties is used for the maintenance of gurdwaras and temples.
Senator Ali Zafar noted that the Ministry of Justice had not yet responded to the Muslim family law amendment. He mentioned that scholars from all over the world are willing to give an information about the bill via zoom.
Senator Kamran Murtaza warned against complicating marriage and divorce legislation and emphasized that marriage is a social contract.
Senator Dr. AFNAN Ullah Khan warned that if the law is changed to include real estate department in divorce cases, people may be able to avoid marriage as it has been adhered to in Europe.
