Pakistani Travel Agencies Sue Ministry of Religious Affairs Over Allocation of Haj Quotas

Pakistan's International News and the Daily Times reported yesterday on a lawsuit in the Lahore High Court that is challenging the manner in which Haj quotas were allocated this year to Pakistan's private tour operators. Thirteen tour operators have sued the Federal Government and several government ministries claiming that the Ministry of Religious Affairs had allocated Haj quotas according to personal favoritism and political influence.  The suit also challenges the Ministry's decision to deny a quota for new tour operators. The travel agencies are asking the court to step in and allocate 2011 quotas based on merit. The court yesterday suspended the allotments to private tour operators until the case is decided.