Pak Senators praise Indian govt for not raising airfare for Haj pilgrims

Islamabad, June 5 : Even as the Congress-led UPA government in New Delhi is facing flak over its yesterday's decision to increase petrol prices by five rupees, it received loads of praises from none other than Pakistani Senators, who grilled their federal government for increasing Haj pilgrims' airfare by Rs 40,000.

Citing Indian Government's example, they said that in the neighbouring country airfare for the Haj pilgrims was not raised, unlike in Pakistan, despite an increase in international prices of crude oil.

During the Question Hour yesterday, the agitated Senators, particularly women Senators, advised their country's Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar to follow the Indians and help Muslims going for Haj pilgrimage.

"Mr Minister please learn some good lessons from the Congress-led government of India which, despite being secular, did not raise the fare for pilgrimages for its Muslims unlike the PIA, which raised the cost by Rs 40,000 per passenger," The News quoted the Senators as telling the minister.

The issue was raised by Senator Pari Gul Agha when she stood up to know that why the fare of the PIA for the people intending to perform Hajj this year were being raised by Rs 40,000. Protesting against this raise she said it was a big injustice with the poor people, who save money during whole of their life to perform Haj and Umra as their last desire. She said why the government was not taking steps to reduce the fare for these people instead of charging more money from the poor.

ANI