National Assembly. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Thursday expressed concern over the allocation of funds to minorities and questioned the repeated awarding of Hajj-related contracts to a single company.
The meeting, chaired by MNA Shagufta Jamani, reviewed several agenda items including minority welfare funds and administrative issues related to Hajj operations.
During the session, Dr. Nelson Azeem raised concerns over the “reduction in funds” allocated to minorities, questioning how many temples or churches could be renovated with Rs10 million.
The committee declared Rs85 million allocated to minorities inadequate and recommended increasing the amount to at least Rs500 million in the next budget.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that although the ministry annually requests higher grants for minority welfare, it receives limited funds.
The committee decided to write to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance to seek increased funding for minority welfare programmes.
Dr. Azeem also pointed out “disparities” in academic grades, saying Muslim students receive 20 marks for rote learning (Hifz), while non-Muslim students do not benefit from a similar provision. He called for a “fair distribution of marks”. The committee also questioned the awarding of Hajj-related contracts in Saudi Arabia to the same company for the fourth consecutive year.
Shagufta questioned why a previously blacklisted company was repeatedly awarded contracts, including for Hajj accommodation, and demanded that the Minister of Religious Affairs explain the matter at the next meeting.
