Returning pilgrims troubled by flight delays

Hajj flights carrying first batches of pilgrims from Makkah land after several hours of delays.

Hajj flights carrying the first batches of pilgrims from Makkah landed in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Quetta on Tuesday after several hours of delays.

The first direct Hajj flight from Jeddah to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa landed at the Peshawar airport after a five hour delay while the second Hajj flight to Peshawar also experienced a delay of 4.5 hours.

Speaking to Express News, pilgrims also complained about the arrangements made by the government for Hajj.

Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia had to face many problems, including being deprived of housing facilities at Mina and paying high rent.

The religious affairs ministry announced yesterday that the Saudi Hajj ministry would compensate 25,000 affected Pakistani pilgrims.

Also yesterday, Azam Khan Swati called for the removal of Hamid Saeed Kazimi from the cabinet on grounds of “looting thousands of pilgrims”.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has taken notice of the irregularities committed by ministry for religious affairs officials and has directed the ministry of foreign affairs to coordinate Hajj arrangements from next year.