180,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj this year: Minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khurshid Shah on Wednesday said that 180,000 Pakistani people would perform Hajj this year.

"It has been decided in an agreement made to facilitate the pilgrims during the Hajj, "he said.

Talking to Pakistan Television, he said that 90,000 people would travel to Saudi Arabia, under the government schemes.

He said that 40,000 people would go directly to Madina Munawara due to the heavy rush at Jeddah airport being observed every year during the Hajj season.

Replying to a question, he said "It would be difficult to arrange residents for pilgrims near Harram (Holy place in Makkah).

He said that a number of buildings had been demolished after the expansion project of the holy places in Saudi Arabia.