ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Religious Affairs senior official said on Monday the Hajflight operation to airlift 68,800 intending Pakistani pilgrims of government’s regular scheme will start on May 9.
Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Syed Attaur Rehman told a news briefing here that 34,300 intending pilgrims would directly land in Madina, while 34,500 would arrive in Jeddah for further travel to Makkah.
The pre-Hajflight operation will conclude on June 9.
For the first time, all the contingent of Pakistan would get train station tickets for travel during Mashair days from Mina to Arafat, Muzdalifa and Jamarat. He said 63pc of Hujjaj would be in Old Mina and 37pc in New Mina. All Makaatab of Hujjaj from Pakistan are situated along the strategic routes in Mina near trains stations and on main routes of Muzdalifa to Jamarat.
In Madinah, 100pc Hujjaj would be accommodated in Markazia. Giving details of new initiatives, taken by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to facilitate the pilgrims, Dr Ataur Rehman said the government had also introduced ‘Short Haj’ of 20 to 25 days for which 16,000 Hujjaj have opted. However, its expenses would be little high due to airlines.
He said the government, utilising modern technology, has also launched HajApp and all communication with the intending pilgrims has been made through this App. He said the pilgrims would have to install this App in their smart phones to avoid any kind of complexity.
The Hajsecretary said pre-installed SIM has been introduced, which would be issued to the pilgrims before travelling to Saudi Arabia. He said SIM would help resolve the issue of telephone calls through WhatsApp as well. He said the government has also taken an initiative to give bags to pilgrims of same size and colour for their easy identification and avoid unnecessary sufferings.
He said for the first time, selection of HajAssistants (Moavineen) has been made through a comprehensive system, ensuring transparency and merit. He said an App has also been developed to monitor performance of these HajAssistants.
During stay at buildings in Makkah, the weekly food menu had been improved with more protein in at least nine meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner. This has been done by adding beef, chicken and eggs in various meals instead of lentils and carbohydrate rich elements of food.
Along with intending pilgrims under regular scheme, the pilgrims of private schemes would also benefit from ‘Road to Makkah’ facility at Karachi and Islamabad airports. All the customs, scanning of luggage and immigration works would be performed at Karachi and Islamabad airports.