Reza Mahmud :
The Hajj pilgrims fear sufferings, as the government has not yet approved third carrier for their transportations to and from Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims said, if the government does not approve third carrier besides Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia Airlines to carry them, it will simply breed indiscipline and sufferings during the Hajj.
“The Supreme Court has ordered the government to approve third carrier to carry Hajj pilgrims before three months. But the government has not taken decision as yet,” said Ibrahim Bahar, the President of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) yesterday.
“After three months of the order, the government has not yet decided whether they will approve it or not. We are frequently asking the Ministry of Religious Affairs about the matter, but got no answers,” he said.
The HAAB President quoted the Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman to have said that the government would resolve the problem after sitting with the Civil Aviation and Tourism Affairs Minister soon.
HAAB officials and stakeholders said, if the government does not approve the third carrier, it might jeopardise he Hajj management system. Not only that, possible schedule crisis of Hajj flights would lead the pilgrims to bear extra costs as house rents and other charges in Saudi Arabia.
Official sources said, 117,198 Bangladeshis will perform Hajj under the private management and 10,000 under the government management this year.
The pre-registration of Hajj pilgrims started from February 19. The pilgrims have been told to deposit the total amount in the Religious Affairs Ministry or the HAAB-approved banks or with the Hajj agents by March 30.
But those who are keen to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year, said, if the carriers do not cooperate, there will be chaos and indiscipline.
HAAB officials said, agreeing that the Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Saudi Airlines are enough for all pilgrims of Bangladesh, yet without third carrier, there may be schedule crisis.
“The dishonest agents form syndicates to control ticketing systems when flight shortages are seen. The pilgrims will suffer for want of flight schedules before Hajj and will not be able to return home in time,” said Ibrahim Bahar.
“If any flight is delayed, all the passengers of that flight have to bear extra costs,” he said.
