Religious rite: First Hajj flight on Saturday

MULTAN: The first special Hajj flight will depart from the Multan International Airport on Saturday, August 13. Arrangements for the month-long operation have been finalised, a Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said.

She said a meeting of relevant stakeholders was held on Wednesday. The Hajj flights operation would continue till September 5, she said. “Strict instructions have been issued to the security agency to restrict the number of attendants at the airport…we want to prevent congestion at the airport during Hajj operations.” A passenger will be able to bring along only one attendant to see him or her off. “Special arrangements have been made for the pilgrims.” The CAA has provided a prayer space, an ablution area and separate booths for pilgrims to put on Ahram.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2016.