Pre-Hajj flight operation to start from September 19

      ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): The one-month pre-Hajj flight operation
will start from September 19 to take over 89,000 intending pilgrims
to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme.
      According to an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the
inaugural flight would take off from Karachi. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has planned to airlift 125,000 passengers through 240
flights from Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Islamabad, Sialkot and Multan.
      He said each Haji would be allotted a terminal number. Pilgrims
belonging to same district would be allotted the same flight and accommodation in a same building.
      He said two airlines - the Pakistan International Air lines (PIA)
and the Saudi Airlines - used to carry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia till 2010. However, in 2011, two other airlines - Shaheen Air and NAS Air of  Saudi Arabia - were designated to airlift the Hujjaj as per air service agreement.
      This year a new blue category has been added to facilitate the pilgrims. A pilgrim of the southern region of blue category has paid
Rs 319,475 and that of the northern region Rs 331,475, he said. 
      Similarly a green category southern region pilgrim has paid
Rs 256,975 while Rs 268,975 has been fixed as Hajj expenses for the
northern region pilgrims. The white category southern region pilgrims
have to pay Rs 221,975 for Hajj and those of the northern region have
to pay Rs 233,975 for performing the sacred religious obligation,
he added.