Supreme Court of Pakistan has reportedly rejected the plea of federal government to increase in Hajj Quota. Government of Pakistan asked for the increase in quota for yearly Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood approached the three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar. According to him, Islamabad High Court decreased the Hajj quota from 67% to 60% last month which was reverted by the present government later.
The court inquired from Deputy Attorney General about overturning the court order by the federal cabinet. He responded that a committee was formed after the court’s order announced to cater the issue. Private Hajj is extremely expensive in comparison to an official one.
Chief Justice questioned about the ‘illegality’ of a decision made by the High Court and challenged by the federal government.
Chief Justice urged that performing Hajj pilgrimage should be comfortable for all. Therefore on March 16th, Islamabad High Court changed the Hajj quota to 60% for government and 40% for private pilgrimage operators for 2018. Earlier, the government had set its quota as 67% and the remaining was left for the private operators.
