Annual pilgrimage : Pre-Hajj flights to conclude on Wednesday

Over 143,000 Pakistani pilgrims are going for the holy sojourn.

ISLAMABAD: The month-long pre-Hajj flights operation will conclude on Wednesday with airlifting of over 143,000 Pakistani pilgrims

going for the holy sojourn to Saudi Arabia on both government and private schemes.

According to an official of the religious affairs ministry, 143,368 pilgrims would perform the sacred obligation. They

would be airlifted through 288 Hajj flights, which started operating on September 9.

The post-Hajj flights operation would start on October 19 and conclude on November 18, he said. Some 123 buildings

have been hired to accommodate 86,021 government scheme pilgrims, the official said.

A 540-member Hajj medical mission will provide medical facilities to the intending pilgrims, while 230 facilitators for

the pilgrims, 270 seasonal staff and 900 local guides will assist the Hajjis in performing the rituals of Hajj. The religious ministry has set up a special helpline with to facilitate the pilgrims. The complaints are also being registered online at the website of the ministry.

An 11-member Hajj Advisory Committee is monitoring the entire Hajj operation. Thecommittee has the representation of the ministry, Hajj Group Organisers, Standing Committee of the Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary on Religious Affairs

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2013.