Haj inaugural flight leaves for Jeddah
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The inaugural Haj flight PK-1601 carrying 453 intending pilgrims left here for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening.
Minister for Religious Affairs, Muhammad Ejaz-ul-Haq, District Nazim Rawalpindi Raja Javed Akhlas and Parliamentary Secretary, Syed Asad Murtaza Gillani saw of the intending pilgrims at the airport. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that about 150,000 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj this year of them, 90,000 will be sent under government scheme while 60,000 through private tour operators.
All these pilgrims will be brought to Saudi Arabia by 462 special flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad and Sukkur, he added. The Minister informed that 2953 pilgrims will be airlifted by 66 flights from Islamabad airport with the last flight on January 4.
He said special arrangements have been made to facilitate pilgrims in the Holy Land adding, Haj Seasonal Staff and Medical Mission will be available round the clock to look after pilgrims. One hospital and eight dispensaries have been set up in Makkah for the treatment of pilgrims, while a complete medical unit has been set up in Pakistan House Madina for the pilgrims, he added.
Ejaz-ul-Haq said special emphasis has been laid on the training of intending pilgrims enabling them to perform Haj rituals in an appropriate manner. He appreciated the role of Pakistan television, radio and volunteers for training Haj pilgrims.
The Minister said this year, in cooperation with Saudi Government, as many as 26,000 pilgrims will directly airlifted to Madina. He also called upon the intending pilgrims to pray for the country’s prosperity as well as for victims of October 8 earthquake.
All arrangements including cleanliness, proper arrangement of sanitation, spray and availability of fire brigade were made to facilitate pilgrims at Haji Camp. They were taken to airport on special buses from Haji camp where they were provided tickets, ahram and foreign exchange.
The Civil Aviation Authority had made elaborate arrangements at the airport for the convenience of pilgrims. Ablution place, ahraam wearing place, seating arrangements in lounge were made by the Authority.
A doctor alongwith paramedics and ambulance were available to provide medical cover to any ailing pilgrim.