National Assembly. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Thursday expressed concerns over the allocation of funds to minorities and questioned the repeated awarding of Hajj-related contracts to a single company.
The meeting, chaired by MP Shagufta Jamani, discussed several agenda items, including minority welfare funds and administrative issues related to Hajj operations.
During the session, Dr Nelson Azeem raised concerns over the “cutting of funds” allocated to minorities, wondering how many temples or churches could be renovated with Rs10 million.
The committee declared the Rs 85 million allocated to minorities insufficient and recommended increasing this amount to at least Rs 500 million in the next budget.
The secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that although the ministry demands higher allocations for the welfare of minorities every year, it receives limited funds.
The committee decided to write to the prime minister, the cabinet and the finance ministry to request increased allocation for minority welfare programs.
Dr Azeem also highlighted “disparities” in academic grades, saying Muslim students receive 20 points for memorization (Hifz), while non-Muslim students do not benefit from a similar provision. He called for a “fair distribution of grades”. The commission also questioned the awarding of Hajj-related contracts in Saudi Arabia to the same company for the fourth consecutive year.
Shagufta questioned why a previously blacklisted company was repeatedly awarded contracts, including for Hajj accommodation, and demanded that the Minister of Religious Affairs explain the issue at the next meeting.
