Saudi govt relaxes deadline for stranded Pakistani pilgrims

ISLAMABAD:

Saudi authorities have extended landing permits granted to Pakistani pilgrims carriers as around 36 worshippers billed for the trip await their airlift after being left stranded at the Islamabad International Airport due to delayed issuance of visas.

A notification issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the cheering news to the pilgrims on Wednesday, allowing them to board till 11:59pm on July 7 (today).

A special facility is being provided to the pilgrims who will land at the King Abdulaziz International Airport. The pilgrims abandoned at the Islamabad Airport can also travel, the notification read. They will be flown from Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad airports by various flights.

Failure to comply with the circulars issued by GACA will violate the government orders and legal action will be taken against the violator and will be held responsible, it added. The development came a day after 36 intending pilgrims were left stranded at Islamabad International Airport as passengers arrived late due to immense monsoon rains battering the twin cities.

According to officials, 22 passengers were to embark on pilgrimage via Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) while 14 pilgrims had their flights confirmed by Saudi Airlines. However, the flights to Jeddah departed without them.

Reportedly, the pilgrims were left stranded at the capital’s airport and faced severe difficulties, claiming they arrived on time but were not issued boarding passes. Airport officials maintained that passengers of Saudi Airlines arrived at the airport late due to rain while passengers on the PIA flight did not receive their visas on time.

Saudi Arabia is set to welcome one million worshippers for the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic. One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed at this year's hajj after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the pandemic.