KARACHI: Federal Minister for Aviation and Privatization Mohammadmian Soomro announced the Road to Makkah initiative for Hajj 2019, which will facilitate the pilgrims for reaching Makkah from Islamabad now in 6 to 6:30 hours instead of 12 to 15 hours.
This plan was announced in a press briefing at Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters.Deputy Director General (Airport Services) Syed Aamir Mehboob, Director (P&D) Nadir Shafi Daar, Director (APS) Sadiqur Rehman and Director (Engineering Services) Sumair Saeed were also present on the occasion.
Informing the journalists about the background of the project, Minister said that Prime Minster Imran Khan had requested the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia for the provision of the referred service to Pakistan during his recent visit to Islamabad.
Federal Minister said that according to this project, pilgrims will complete all Immigration and Health formalities at Islamabad airport which were earlier being done at Jeddah airport.
Based on its results the Road to Makkah project/process will be extended to other airports of Pakistan as well. “After this initiative now pilgrim will reach at Jeddah Airport from Islamabad as a domestic passenger, this will save their almost half time”: He added.***