First Hajj flight to leave for Saudi Arabia from July 15

ISLAMABAD: The first Hajj flight of Government Hajj Scheme is likely to leave for Saudi Arabia from  July  15, said official of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.

According to Hajj Policy 2018,hajj operation would continue till August 15. Initially the hajj flights would depart directly to Madina in first fifteen days of month long pre hajj flight operation.

Whereas in last fifteen days the hajj flights would depart from Islamabad to Jeddah.

Hajj flight schedule would be intimated this week. The intending pilgrims would be informed through SMS, letters and  website.

According to Hajj policy 2018, 179,210 Pakistanis would perform Hajj this year. Out of which 119,473 would perform Hajj under Government Hajj Scheme, while 59,737 Pakistanis would perform Hajj through private Hajj scheme.

This year, the sources said the government has enhanced facilities for government hajj scheme. The services of new basses were being hired for the intending pilgrims.

Two percent hardship quota of total seats of Government Hajj Scheme has been reserved for broken families, newly born infant cases and applicants belonging to the far flung/rural areas. Likewise, 500 seats have been reserved for low paid employees.

Labours of public sector, corporate organizations, companies registered with Employees Old age Benefits Institutions (EOBI)/Workers Welfare Fund sponsored by their respective organistions under their corporate social responsibility.