ISLAMABAD: The month-long pre-Hajj flights operation is set to conclude on Wednesday with airlifting of over 143,368 government and private scheme Pakistani pilgrims, an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said Tuesday.
Talking to APP he said 86,021 pilgrims will perform Hajj through government scheme while 57,347 through private Hajj scheme. The Hujjaj are being transported through PIA, Saudi Airline, and Shaheen Airline.
The intending Hujjaj were going to Saudi Arabia through 288 special Hajj flights. The government had paid Rs 3 billion to Airline companies for the operation. The flight operation was being jointly conducted by Pakistani and Saudi flag carriers. As many as 46,500 Hujjaj were travelling through PIA, 14,021 through Shaheen Air and 25,500 through Saudi Arabian Airlines.
In all, the PIA will transport more than 70,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through 160 pre Hajj flights. The post-Hajj flights operation would start on October 19 and conclude on November 18.
As many as 214 special flights of Pakistan International Airlines would carry the Hujjaj in both pre and post Hajj operation. The special flights were being operated from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Sialkot.
Some 122 building have been hired to accommodate 86,021 government scheme pilgrims, he said.
A 540-member Hajj medical mission has already started providing free medical facilities to the intending pilgrims, while 230 facilitators for the pilgrims, 270 seasonal staff and 900 local guides were assisting the Hujaj in performing the rituals of Hajj. The religious ministry has set up a special helpline to facilitate the pilgrims. The complaints are also being registered online at the website of the ministry.
An 11-member Hajj Advisory Committee is monitoring the entire Hajj operation. The committee has the representation of the ministry, Hajj Group Organisers, Standing Committee of the Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary on Religious Affairs.
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