Pakistan starts Hajj 2015 operation today, three flights leave for Saudi Arabia from Karachi

KARACHI (92 News) – The first three Hajj flights with 790 pilgrims have left for Saudi Arabia from Karachi on Sunday. The two flights of private airlines will reach Jeddah, while one will reach Madina. Large numbers of family members of the pilgrims were present at the airport. Addressing the media after the departure of flights, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Yousaf said that the pilgrims will also play a role of Pakistan’s diplomat during their stay in Saudi Arabia. He said that training programmes have been improved for the Hajj pilgrims, adding that the changes were made on the suggestions of media and civil societies. The minister said that around 1,43,368 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year, adding that the pilgrims will reach Saudi Arabia on 296 flights, while the Hajj operation will continue till September 17. He said that they were giving 5 Riyal balance in every Hajj pilgrim’s mobile, adding that the pilgrims will stay in Madina for eight days and then they will leave for Makkah.