ISLAMABAD: At least 42 Pakistani pilgrims died during this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to Pakistani government’s figures.
Most of the deaths were a result of suffocation and road accidents. Last year, 108 Pakistani pilgrims had died during Hajj. This year’s figures show a decline of 80 per cent in the deaths.
“Out of the total fatalities, 30 were men and 12 were women belonging to different cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, DG Khan, Hyderabad, Karachi, Kohat, Faisalabad, Attock, Khairpur, Malakand and Kasur. The deceased were aged between their early 40s and late 80s,” said officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
These deceased pilgrims have been buried in Sharaya, Jannatul Baqi and Arafat graveyards.
According to the breakdown, 25 pilgrims died in Makkah, seven in Madina, five in Mina, and four in Arafat.
Moreover, a female Pakistani pilgrim who had suffered a brain haemorrhage was shifted to Shah Abdullah Medical City where she in critical condition.
The post-Hajj flight operation is scheduled to begin on August 27 and will continue until September 25. The first post-Hajj flight, carrying around 327 pilgrims, will land at the Islamabad International Airport on Monday evening.
According to the officials, over 900 Pakistani pilgrims on board four flights will reach Islamabad and Peshawar on August 27. Out of the total, 240 people will land at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport through the Saudi airline, 327 pilgrims will be taking PIA flights back to the capital.
A total of 184,210 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj this year.
