The Central Haj Committee will hold a meeting here on Saturday to discuss and evaluate reports on the performance of all government bodies during this year's Haj. The meeting, which will be chaired by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, will look through arrangements during the Haj with special emphasis on shortcomings, if any, so that corrective measures are taken in preparation of the next Haj season. Authorities this year were able to clamp down heavily on illegal pilgrims barring their entry into the holy sites. The “no permit, no Haj” rule was strictly implemented by the Passports Department and other security organs in and around Makkah. Attempts by about 85,000 citizens and expatriates without Haj permits to sneak into the holy sites were thwarted during the run-up to the Arafat Day. The unprecedented expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and other holy sites and the modern Jamrat Bridge allowed the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Also surveillance cameras in Mina and Grand Mosque helped a great deal in keeping an eye on anti-social elements. Also authorities are planning stiff measures against overstaying by Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Maj. Gen. Abed Katib, Assistant Director of Passports for Haj and Umrah Affairs, said this week that Haj pilgrims who overstay could face new fines of between SR1,000 and SR3,000 and a ban on entering the Kingdom for a specific period. The Passports Department has set Jan. 12 as the last date for the pilgrims to leave the Kingdom. __