Fix airfare for non-ballottee Hajj pilgrims at $ 950

The Parishad will form a human chain to be participated by non-ballotee pilgrims wearing 'ehram' (a cloth which they wear at the time of Hajj) at Muktangon in the city from 3.00pm to 4.00pm today to press home their demand.

Speaking at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium in the city, the parishad leaders urged the government not to create discrimination among the pilgrims calling them ballotee and non-ballottee as they all are the citizens of the country.

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Speaking on the occasion, parishad President Abdul Latif Chowdhury said non-ballottee pilgrims are facing discrimination due to mismanagement of the government.

Mentioning that the pilgrims of Pakistan are paying $ 750, Malaysians $ 800 and Indians $ 750 to $ 800, he asked the government why will the pilgrims of Bangladeshi have to pay more than $ 950?

Latif blamed some officials of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Ministry of Civil Aviation for raising the airfare for their personal interest.

He said both the ballottee and non-ballottee pilgrims are the citizens of the country, so they have the right to get the same facilities from the government.

"If the government fails to ensure the same airfare for both categories of pilgrims then it has no right to stay in power," said Latif.

He said the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has also demanded equal airfare for ballottee and non-ballottee pilgrims and if it declares any movement on this issue, we will support them.

Parishad Advisor Azizur Rahman, General Secretary Wahiduzzaman, Joint Secretary Washim Uddin Nurani, Organising Secretary Principal Masuduzzaman and Secretary General of Khelafat Andolon Jafrullh Khan were present at the press conference.