MAKKAH: An engineering firm in Makkah is being investigated for allegedly forging documents in order to fraudulently obtain pilgrim housing permits, Zuhair Haddad, Chairman of the Pilgrim Housing Committee, has said. Haddad said that the Administrative Investigation Department in Makkah was looking into documents submitted to the Housing Committee for pilgrim housing permits, allowing the firm to rent out accommodation to pilgrims. “The firm also rigged electricity meters,” he said. “It needs to be brought to account in order to stop these illegal business practices in Haj seasons.” Haddad said that some pilgrim housing regulations had been amended, with a reduction in permit validity from three years to one. “The reduction will see information on pilgrim housing facilities updated, which will help ensure that the facilities are properly prepared, comply with safety conditions and meet all the terms set out in the regulations,” he said. He added that delays in issuing permits had occurred in some cases because of housing owners who had sought “exceptional treatment” over issues at their premises.
