LAHORE, Dec 10: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Monday directed the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to submit until Dec 20 its inquiry report about the cartelisation of private Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) and objections raised by pilgrims over the Haj process.

Earlier, the counsel for the CCP stated the inquiry was under way and the report would be presented in the court next week. He said non-availability of documents from the Religious Affairs Ministry had delayed completion of the inquiry.

The CJ adjourned until Dec 20 hearing of the petitions filed by various HGOs challenging the Haj Policy 2012 and other Haj-related issues.

The petitioners stated the policy was not based on merit and would promote nepotism due to lack of transparency. They also said the new policy was against articles 3, 4, 18 and 25 of the Constitution. They said the Ministry of Religious Affairs did not have the authority to permit a certain group of persons to do business by allotting Haj quota as the Constitution allowed every citizen freedom of trade, business or profession.

They submitted that the ministry had prepared draft Pakistan Haj Pilgrims Commission law, but it was never tabled before the National Assembly for approval. — Staff Reporter