HC issues rule on hajj package price discrepancy

The High Court (HC) has issued a rule against religious affairs secretary Md Anisur Rahman, asking why a direction should not be issued to allow non-government pilgrim agencies to collect hajj package value for final registration from non-government pilgrims just as it is done in case of government pilgrims.

Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Faruque (M. Faruque) passed the order on Thursday. The HC bench asked the religious affairs secretary to respond to the rule within 10 working days. General secretary of Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council Abdul Baten filed the writ petition with the HC division.

The HC wanted to know why this discrepancy for hajj package value between government and private hajj management. The minimum cost of the first hajj package (under government arrangement) will be Tk 3,97,929 this year for each person, while the minimum cost of the second Hajj package (under government arrangement) will be Tk 3,31,359 for each person. Under the private arrangement, the minimum cost will be Tk 3.31 lakh this year.

Deputy attorney generals Amatul Karim and Ashaque Momin, assistant attorney generals ARM Hasanuzzaman, Saira Fairoz and Zaidy Hasan Khan took part in the hearing.

Md Zainal Abedin and Abdul Hye Fakir were the petitioner’s lawyers. “We have filed the writ to bring discipline in hajj management. If there is no discrepancy in hajj management between the government and private agencies, there will be no irregularities in this sector. The fraud hajj agencies like Akbar Hajj Agency would never be able to misappropriate pilgrims’ money,” Zainal Abedin said.

A total of 1,27,198 Bangladeshis—7,198 under government management and 120,000 under private management—are expected to perform hajj this year.

HC issues rule on hajj package price discrepancy

The High Court (HC) has issued a rule against religious affairs secretary Md Anisur Rahman, asking why a direction should not be issued to allow non-government pilgrim agencies to collect hajj package value for final registration from non-government pilgrims just as it is done in case of government pilgrims. Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Faruque (M. Faruque) passed the order on Thursday. The HC bench asked the religious affairs secretary to respond to the rule within 10 working days. General secretary of Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council Abdul Baten filed the writ petition with the HC division. The HC wanted to know why this discrepancy for hajj package value between government and private hajj management. The minimum cost of the first hajj package (under government arrangement) will be Tk 3,97,929 this year for each person, while the minimum cost of the second Hajj package (under government arrangement) will be Tk 3,31,359 for each person. Under the private arrangement, the minimum cost will be Tk 3.31 lakh this year. Deputy attorney generals Amatul Karim and Ashaque Momin, assistant attorney generals ARM Hasanuzzaman, Saira Fairoz and Zaidy Hasan Khan took part in the hearing. Md Zainal Abedin and Abdul Hye Fakir were the petitioners lawyers. We have filed the writ to bring discipline in hajj management. If there is no discrepancy in hajj management between the government and private agencies, there will be no irregularities in this sector. The fraud hajj agencies like Akbar Hajj Agency would never be able to misappropriate pilgrims money, Zainal Abedin said. A total of 1,27,198 Bangladeshis7,198 under government management and 120,000 under private managementare expected to perform hajj this year.