He said that all services and facilities were being provided to the intending pilgrims.
Advertisement
Islamabad-The month long pre-Hajj flight operation will commence on Sunday with the departure of the first flight of Pakistan worldwide Airlines (PIA) from Lahore to Madina Munawwra. Among them, 2,600 will go under government arrangement. A dedicated team from Air India will provide all assistance to the pilgrims.
He also said the government has booked hotels in Srinagar for the accommodation of pilgrims belonging to other districts and it has also directed the JKTDC to reserve accommodation in its hotels.
UP Haj Committee secretary Zubair Ahmad said that two flights left from Chaudhary Charan Singh airport on the first day.
Air India has announced to operate special flights for Hajj pilgrims from seven Indian cities – Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Goa and Nagpur.
Civil aviation minister Rashed Khan Menon and religious affairs minister Motiur Rahman were present at the Hazrat Shahjalal global Airport during the first flight. “I wish the pilgrims well; and ask them to pray for peace and prosperity”.
Advertisement
Akif said that this year, 71,684 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj under the government scheme and will arrive through 293 flights. “Besides special arrangements for the Ahram, the police and home guard volunteers are deployed in sufficient numbers to load and unload the baggage carried by the pilgrims”, Veeri added.
