Hajj preparations: Lodging arranged for 65,000 pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs has so far hired accommodation for over 65,947 pilgrims intending to perform Hajj under the government’s scheme and will take on 17 more buildings to lodge the rest.

An official of the ministry told APP that Pakistan has demanded a further addition of 10,000 pilgrims in the Hajj quota from Saudi Arabia to accommodate the pilgrims.

Efforts are also underway to establish another Pakistan House in Makkah. The Hajj flight operation will commence on September 17 and conclude by the end of November.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2012.