First hajj flight will depart from Islamabad on 24th

NIH issues health advisory to intending pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday announced that the hajj flight operation will begin on July 24 and continue till August 26.

The first hajj flight will depart for Medina on July 24 from Islamabad. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammad Yousaf will see off the intending pilgrims.

According to details of the government scheme, pilgrims would be airlifted to the holy land by four designated airlines – PIA, Shaheen Airlines, Saudi Airlines and Air Blue. Under the government scheme, as many as 107,526 pilgrims will perform hajj this year.



The operation for bringing pilgrims back home will start on September 6 and continue till October 6.

“All-out efforts are being made to make their journey and stay very comfortable and memorable,” said a spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has devised a plan for the control and prevention of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Caronavirus during hajj, directing the authorities concerned to adopt appropriate preventive measures.

According to the advisory, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, or MERS‐CoV – that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.



The advisory also focuses on the fact that MERS-CoV can spread through close contact such as living with or being close to an infected person. Mass gathering events such as hajj provide a basis for communicable diseases like this one to spread easily.

The NIH recommends that pilgrims with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung disease and immunodeficiency should consult their physicians before travelling and ask them whether making the pilgrimage would be advisable.

It advises pilgrims to frequently wash their hands with soap and water; avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth after touching common surfaces or shaking hands with people who are ill; not be in close contact with sick people; avoid undercooked meat or food prepared under unsanitary conditions; wash fruits and vegetables before eating them; maintain a good personal hygiene; and avoid unnecessary contact with farm, domestic and wild animals, especially camels.