Two PIA Hajj flilghts arrive at Islamabad, Karachi airports

The Hajj operation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) commenced on Wednesday as two flights with 770 pilgrims landed in Islamabad and Karachi. Federal ministers and high officials welcomed the returning pilgrims.
PIA’s first post-Hajj flight PK-3806 with 452 pilgrims on board landed at Benazir International Airport, Islamabad after two hours delay.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, was at the airport to welcome the pilgrims. A large number of relatives were at the airport to greet their loved one and loaded the pilgrims with garlands and rose petals.
Some pilgrims taking advantage of the presence of federal minister registered their complaints about the PIA’s Hajj operation.
Talking to media persons on the occasion Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the returning Hujjaj did not face any serious inconveniences but their concerns would be removed.
Another PIA flight carrying 318 pilgrims from Jeddah touched the Karachi Airport. Federal Ministers Makhdoom Ameen Fahim and Khursheed Shah welcomed the returning pilgrims. The relatives and family members garlanded the Hujjaj.
Speaking on the occasion Makhdoom Ameen Fahim and Syed Khursheed Shah said that 1.8 million people around the world performed Hajj this year and due to pre-arrangements they had to face no problems in residence or travelling. Khursheed Shah said that a committee has been constituted to probe into malpractices of the fraudulent tour operators.
It should be mentioned that PIA Hajj operation was started on September 19 and continued till October 20. It took 196 flights for the national flag carrier to transport over 94,000 intending Hujjaj to Saudi Arabia.
PIA had also airlifted some 2,000 intending Hujjaj from Rangoon on board four chartered flights. Besides, over 9,000 intending Hujjaj had travelled through regular daily flights from Pakistan to Jeddah. The post-Hajj operation will complete on November 29.
PIA spokesperson said that arrival time of post-Hajj flights may vary due to factors such as rush at Jeddah Hajj Terminal, late arrival of passengers and the luggage, besides the security and immigrations procedures at Jeddah Airport.