HC asks govt to reduce Hajj cost

The High Court on Wednesday asked Attorney General AM Amin Uddin to talk to the authorities concerned and take initiative to reduce the costs of this year’s Hajj package.

The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Ali issued the order after hearing the explanation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs regarding the high Hajj cost this year.

Earlier on the day, the ministry submitted a report containing an explanation before the court following the instructions of the court on Tuesday.

The ministry informed that the cost of the Hajj package has increased due to the increase in dollar price, airfares, house rents, and Moallem (guide) fees this year.

After the hearing, the court asked the attorney general to think of the common people who want to go for Hajj. “You should talk to the authorities concerned and take initiative on how to reduce the costs,” the court told him.

The attorney general told the court that the announced Hajj package is a policy decision of the government and the court cannot issue an order in this regard.

In reply, the HC bench said, “The issue involves public interest and therefore, there is no bar to hear the writ in this regard.” Later, the HC adjourned the hearing of the writ petition.

Earlier, the High Court on Tuesday termed this year’s hajj package inhumane because of its high costs and commented that the people involved in setting up this costly package will have to shoulder the sin.

The High Court bench made the remark while hearing a writ petition. It said the Hajj package that has been fixed by the government for Hajj travellers is unusual and unreasonable.

On March 12, Advocate Ashraf-Uz-Zaman, also chief coordinator of the Al-Quran Study Centre, filed the writ petition with the High Court, challenging the government’s decision to fix Tk 6.83 lakh as the Hajj package per pilgrim this year.

This public interest litigation writ also sought a court order for the government to reduce and re-fix the hajj expenses.