Both sides intend to appeal verdict JEDDAH: The Administrative Court in Jeddah Tuesday has ruled that the Ministry of Haj must pay about SR105 million in compensation to the Labbayk for Haj and Umrah Company for suspending it for several years without a legitimate reason. The company's representative objected to the verdict and said it will appeal because it has demanded compensation of SR700 million. The ministry has also objected to the verdict and said it will appeal. The company was one of six companies permitted by the ministry to act as an Umrah Service Center. These companies are the link between permitted Umrah companies working inside the Kingdom and Umrah agencies abroad. The same court previously issued a verdict lifting the suspension but the ministry did not implement it. The company was shut down in 2003. Statistics obtained by Okaz/Saudi Gazette from the Haj and Umrah Information Center at the ministries of Haj and Interior, showed the company's losses amounted to more than SR426 million during the period it was not allowed to operate. In 2002, the company had obtained visas for 644,292 Umrah pilgrims. In 2003, there were 717,373 pilgrims registered with the company, in addition to 12,000 Haj pilgrims. Judicial sources said the court had previously issued two decisions stating that the ministry must allow the company to operate “but the ministry did not execute them”. He said there is no official body responsible for the execution of verdicts issued against government departments.
