Islamabad, Pakistan: As many as 143,368 Pakistani will perform Hajj this year and last flight will go to Saudi Arabia with Hijaj on September 17.
It may be mentioned that Saudi Arabia did not increase Hajj quota of Pakistan for the last two years despite of request from Pakistan and increasing demand.
The Saudi government reduced Hajj quota by 20 percent in year 2013 due to ongoing construction of extending facilities at Khana e Kaaba. Total number of decrease quota was less 46,000 pilgrims.
According to Arab News 100,000 Pakistanis Hijjaj have already reached Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj this year and majority of them have already reached Saudi Arabia. Total number of Hajaj will be over 800,000 pilgrims this year.
Over 90% Hajaj arrived by air as 780,474 pilgrims arrived by air, 9,039 by land and 7,068 by sea.
According to newspaper, Saudi government has taken extraordinary measures to ensure a safe Haj. Pakistani Consul General Aftab Ahmed Khokher while talking to Arab News said the Pakistani pilgrims are generally in good health. “Nearly 100,000 of the 143,368 expected have already arrived in the Kingdom,”.
“Our pilgrims will continue to arrive until Sept. 17,” said Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, director general of Haj in Pakistan. Domestic pilgrims will start heading to Makkah and the holy sites on Sept. 20 for the five-day pilgrimage.
Meanwhile sources in Ministry of Religious Affairs in Islamabad, government will again lauched SMS service for Hijaj as it did in year 2013. According to Ministry sources, Hajj pilgrims will be guided about flight schedules and procedure of performing Hajj through this SMS service.
The Religious Affairs’ Ministry informed that first Hajj Flight will leave on September 17 from Lahore and total 143,368 Hajj pilgrims will be transported through 277 Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia. The official said that the ministry has issued orders to the airlines to strictly adhere to depart and arrival schedule, on failure the heavy fine would be imposed on the airline.
The pilgrims are allowed to carry five liters of Zamzam (subject to conditions of Saudi government). Moreover, a committee comprising parliamentarians and officers will monitor the Hajj operation.
