LAHORE, June 18: Deputy Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and former MNA Dr. Farid Ahmad Piracha has termed almost 100 per cent raise in Hajj expenses uncalled for, unconstitutional and un-Islamic which will drastically reduce the number of intending hajjis this year.

In a statement on Wednesday Dr Piracha said that many Muslim countries even neighboring India ensure facilitation to their intending Hajjis but on the contrary the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan go for increasing in the Hajj expense every year.

He also lambasted the free hand given to PIA for charging fares of their own choice from the Hajjis to meet their losses. He pointed out that the national flag carrier is preparing to charge Rs. 85,000/ fare for Lahore-Jeddah sector which is equivalent to fare for New York.

He warned the rulers that the exploitation of the religious sentiments of their countrymen would invite wrath of the Allah Almighty. He demanded that no Hajj fare increase should be allowed but to the tune of ten percent to meet the inflation etc.


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