National Assembly panel seeks cut in security deposit for pilgrimage organisers

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs has recommended cutting the Rs1 million security deposit imposed on the group organisers who take pilgrims to Iran, Iraq and Syria, saying the heavy deposit has become a burden on small operators — and the cost eventually lands on the pilgrims themselves.

The committee met on Thursday in Parliament House under acting chairman Muhammad Ijazul Haq, in the absence of chairman Amir Dogar. It directed the Religious Affairs Ministry to submit the Zaireen (pilgrims) Management Policy so the panel can examine gaps in its implementation and check whether the regulatory framework is being applied consistently.

Review of the Zaireen policy

The committee also pressed the ministry to speed up security clearance and the issuance of registration certificates to Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs), and insisted on a clear, time-bound process. Under the revised policy, pilgrims may now travel only through registered organisers; the old informal “Sallar” caravan-leader system has been replaced by a formal registration regime.

922 cleared, 261 certificates issued

The ministry told the committee that 922 companies have obtained security clearance from the Interior Ministry, 282 have been processed for registration, and 261 have been issued registration certificates. The committee said companies that have already been cleared should not be made to wait any longer for their certificates.

Transparency in Hajj operations

The committee also reviewed the finances of Hajj operations, including banking arrangements, the handling of funds, profit and loss, and audit procedures. Members stressed that every financial transaction and contractual arrangement in Hajj operations must be transparent and accountable, and must comply strictly with the prescribed rules and competitive procurement procedures.

Visas for minority communities

The committee further asked the ministry to coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to facilitate visas for members of minority communities wishing to visit their respective holy sites. Chairman Amir Dogar and other PTI members are not attending committee sessions, which is why the meeting was chaired by acting chairman Muhammad Ijazul Haq.