ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: 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 the state-run news agency in Islamabad 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.
