Kaira receives first post Hajj flight of PIA

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira on Tuesday night received the first post Hajj flight of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) here at Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad.

The first PIA flight PK-3806 transported back 450 pilgrims from Jeddah after the sacred religious ritual of Hajj. About 180,000 Pakistani pilgrims would be flown back from Saudi Arabia during the month-long post Hajj flights operation.

Talking to media after receiving the pilgrims, the minister appreciated endeavours of Ministry of Religious Affairs and PIA. He said that this year no complaint was received against PIA adding that if some flights were delayed at the Jeddah Airport, it was not due to any fault of the national airline or Ministry of Religious Affairs.

"Such delays occur due to heavy rush at the Jeddah Airport and are not the result of anyone's mistake," he said.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the mission that had gone to Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah did not perform Hajj it but remained busy there in facilitating and serving the country's pilgrims there.

To a question he said that performance of Hajj was a difficult task, however the government tried its best to provide maximum facilities to country's Hujjaj.

He said strict action would be taken if someone found guilty of negligence in providing facilities to Hujjaj. In case the government receives complaints from some Hujjaj, it will compensate them fully, he said.

He also dispelled the impression that Pakistani pilgrims were provided accommodation far away from Haram saying that there were two categories - those who paid much were staying close to Haram, while others stayed at a distance. However those, who stayed at a distance were given other facilities, he said.

To another question he said that accommodating 2.4 million pilgrims was not an easy task and hence if they (pilgrims) faced some difficulties it was not due to lapse on part of Saudi or Pakistan governments. "Most of the pilgrims go to perform the religious obligation of Hajj for the first time and as there is too much rush during the Hajj days, it is but natural that they may face some difficulties," he added.