National News

ISLAMABAD, July 11 (APP): The month long pre Hajj flight operation
would start from July 25, said an official of Ministry of Religious Affairs
and Interfaith Harmony.
Talking to APP on Tuesday, he said as many as 40,000 pilgrims would be
airlifted to Saudi Arabia by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). As many as 107,526 intending pilgrims would perform the sacred ceremony of Hajj through Government Scheme. While 71,684 would go to Saudi Arabia through private scheme.
An amount of Rs. 13,050/-, non-refundable, would be charged from
the pilgrims, who opt for Qurbani arrangements through Office of Pilgrim
Affairs of Pakistan (OPAP), he said.
The Qurbani coupon would be purchased and delivered to pilgrims
before Mina movement. Those who do not avail this option will make their
own arrangements, he added.
Responding to a question, he said two percent of total seats under
government hajj scheme would be reserved for the hardship, broken family,
newly born infant cases, and applicants belonging to the far-flung/rural
areas including Gilgit-Baltistan and Baluchistan etc. due to lack of access
to the means of communication.
The Ministry will work out modalities to utilize hardship quota in an
objective and transparent manner.