IN the last government Haj scheme (2024), the Ministry of Religious Affairs had provided an option to update one’s maktab to category C in Mina/Arafat under the sponsorship scheme by paying an extra $300 per person. Under the scheme, the optional amount paid would be refunded if the facility was not available.

Despite the collection of the amount for maktab upgrade from category D to C, the pilgrims who opted and paid for the upgrade were not provided the upgraded facility during Haj days.

It was unofficially conveyed by the Haj facilitators that no formal arrangement of category C maktab was executed by the government. The relevant pilgrims were advised to seek refunds by applying through their banks to the ministry. Despite various follow-ups and requests made since last July through the advised channel, we are yet to receive a refund.

It is unfortunate that the federal cabinet has announced Haj policy 2025 without ensuring the clearance of previous year’s refund to the pilgrims who had opted for the facility of maktab upgrade under the sponsorship Haj scheme.

The relevant ministry should refund the amount immdiately to all those who had deposited the extra charge.

Kashif Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024