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Haj flights from Feb 13

ISLAMABAD: The process of flying 89,587 intending pilgrims to Makkah would start from February 13 with inaugural flight from Islamabad.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would operate a total of 234 flights to airlift Pakistani pilgrims to the holy land from all over the country within 26 days. The last Haj flight would leave the country on March 10.

According to the Haj flight schedule, a total of 32 flights would operate from the federal capital carrying 14,766 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

This year no aircraft would be acquired on wet lease for Haj operation saving the national exchequer million of rupees in foreign exchange as the PIA has made operational its grounded planes.

Last year PIA had to acquired three aircraft on wet lease from Transe Air for carrying out Haj operation.

Out of a total 101,755 intending pilgrims, 50,431 have opted for official accommodation while 51,324 for private arrangement.

This time a number of newly constructed buildings, equipped with all modern facilities like kitchen, fridge, drinking water, toilet and cafeteria, situated within a radius of 1,200 metre, from Holy Ka'aba have been hired for the intending pilgrims.

Some buildings have been hired at a distance of 50 metres from Holy Ka'aba which facilitate the pilgrims in the performance of Haj rituals but these are very old and lack modern facilities.

Though rent varies from building to building, the pilgrims will not have to pay more than 1,600 rials per head during their stay in Makkah. The pilgrims would be charged less in case of inexpensive buildings. The newly constructed buildings are capacious enough to house around 7,000 pilgrims.

The pilgrims have also been advised to mention their Haj passport number in case they intended to invite their friends or relatives at the buildings allotted to them in Saudi Arabia.

Printing of Haj passports has been completed and special care has been taken to avoid any attempt of forgery by mischief mongers. APP