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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP):The National Assembly Secretariat Tuesday categorically rejected reports circulating in print and electronic media claiming that parliamentary delegations perform Umrah or Hajj at government expense, terming such reports as baseless and misleading.
A spokesperson for the National Assembly Secretariat clarified that no facility exists, nor can any facility be provided, for Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to perform Umrah or Hajj at public expense.
The spokesperson said that under a resolution passed by the National Assembly in November 2016, a parliamentary delegation visits Roza-e-Rasool (SAWW) on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal each year. However, all members of the delegation bear their own expenses, and no financial burden is placed on the national exchequer.
He said that under the approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Ministry of Religious Affairs extends only administrative facilitation for the visit and does not incur or bear any expenditure related to travel, accommodation, or other costs.
The spokesperson said that any proposal or statement suggesting government-funded visits reflects a personal opinion of an individual member and has neither been approved nor discussed at any forum.