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  • Jan 1st, 2005
  • Comments Off on 65,000 pilgrims airlifted to Jeddah
About 65,000 intending pilgrims, both under government and private schemes, have so far been airlifted through more than 200 special flights to Jeddah, for Haji-2005. About 30,000 intending pilgrims have departed for Madina Munawwarah from Makkah Mukarramah after their arrival. Ministry of Religious Affairs Secretary Vakil Ahmed Khan told APP here on Friday.

He said more than 5,500 pilgrims had returned from Madina Munawwarah.

The pre-Haj operation started since December 15, aimed at airlifting Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and would continue till January 15 next, he added.

He further said 150,000 intending pilgrims would be airlifted to Saudi Arabia by 496 special Haj flights till January 15, 2005 from eight gateways across the country.

Giving the detail of flights, he said 73 flights would be operated from the Federal Capital, 75 from Peshawar, 84 from Lahore, 122 from Karachi, 36 from Quetta, 70 from Multan, 6 from Sukkur and 30 from Faisalabad.

About 97,000 people would perform Haj under the government scheme while 53, 000 through the private tour operators, he added.

The Secretary said intending pilgrims under government scheme would stay in Saudi Arabia around 40 days.

He said the Khuddamul Hujjaj had already reached in Saudi Arabia and were facilitating the Pakistani pilgrims right from the airport to the buildings hired for them in Makkah and Madina.

"Our Haj Medical Mission has set up hospital and dispensaries both at Makkah and Madina to provide medical treatment to our pilgrims," he added.

The Secretary said the building to house Pakistani pilgrims had been arranged near Harmain-es-Sharifain.

All the male and female pilgrims would be provided Ahram and Abaya, respectively free of cost this year, he added.

He also advised the intending pilgrims to strictly follow the rules and regulations of the Saudi government during their stay in Saudi Arabia to avoid any inconvenience.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005


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