IHC seeks details of Hajj Policy 2027-30, bars allocation of final quota to new operators

ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought details of the procedure adopted for the formulation and approval of the Hajj Policy 2027-30 and the independent third-party scrutiny process for new Hajj group organizers.

The court also directed the authorities to explain the criteria set for new Hajj operators.

According to a written order issued by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, the court issued notices to the federal government, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other respondents, seeking their replies.

The court, however, restrained the authorities from allocating the final Hajj quota to new operators until the next hearing.

Rejecting a request to immediately suspend the process initiated under the July 21 notification, the court allowed the proceedings to continue but directed the authorities not to issue the final quota to new operators until further orders.

The court observed that if the quota distribution process was completed, the rights of the parties could be adversely affected and the petition might become ineffective.

The respondents were directed to submit their replies before the next hearing scheduled for Aug. 26.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the applicants were registered private Hajj group organizers but had not been allocated a Hajj quota despite their registration.

The counsel argued that two new categories had been introduced under the policy and that the petitioners had been denied a quota despite being included in the merit list. He further contended that the petitioners had already undergone scrutiny under the previous system and that their earlier registration, verification and experience had effectively been rendered meaningless.

The court observed in its written order that the key question was whether the Hajj Policy and Plan 2027-30 had been formulated by the competent authority in accordance with the relevant laws and rules.

The order also raised the question of whether previously registered non-quota Hajj group organizers could be ignored under the new policy and directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other respondents to submit detailed replies.

The Assistant Attorney General accepted the court notice during the proceedings.

The court noted that it was fully aware of the time-sensitive nature of Hajj arrangements and, therefore, considered it inappropriate to suspend the entire process initiated under the July 21 notification.

However, it observed that the legal questions raised in the petition required judicial examination and directed the registrar’s office to fix the case for hearing on Aug. 26 in view of the urgency of the matter.