LAHORE/ISLAMABAD, July 4 (DNA): The first Hajj flight carrying 213
pilgrims took off from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore for
Medina on Thursday.

The first Hajj flight SV 720 departed from New Islamabad International
Airport on early Thursday morning.

Under the ‘Road to Makkah” project which will be inaugurated by Prime
Minister Imran Khan, the customs and immigration process of Hajj
pilgrims would be completed at the Islamabad Airport thus saving them
the 11 to 13-hour process at the Jeddah Airport.

Special help counters have been set up at the Islamabad Airport to
facilitate the pilgrims. 22,000 Hajj pilgrims will benefit from this
initiative

Under the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, the custom checking and immigration
of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will be done within the country, saving them
from hassle at the Saudi airports.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also started issuance of E-Visa
for Hajj Pilgrims under government Hajj Scheme. Ten Haji camps have
become functional across the country.

The intending Hajis will be provided passports, tickets, lockets and
stickers before Hajj flight.

According to a spokesperson for the Religious Affairs Ministry, the
first Hajj flight from Karachi and Peshawar will depart on Friday, while
the first Hajj flight would depart from Sukkar on Saturday.

From Multan, the first flight would depart on July 6, while the first
flight from Quetta, will depart on July 7 (Sunday). From Faisalabad, the
first flight carrying Hajj pilgrims will depart on July 8 (Monday). DNA