- Pakistan announces flight operation details for Hajj 2023
- The first official flight taking off on May 20, 2023
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will transport 38,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land from May 21 to August 12
- The cost of attending the Hajj this year has increased by 68%
Pakistan has announced its flight operation details for Hajj 2023. Reportedly, the first official flight will take off on 20th May 2023.
Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, was informed of this by Secretary for Religious Affairs Aftab Akbar Durrani, who emphasized that the Hajj fight operation would come to an end on June 21.
The Ministry requested valid passports from travellers before April 28th, and biometric verification of pilgrims must be completed by that date, according to the officer. It was emphasized to the group that participating in Hajj training sessions at the Tehsil and District levels was mandatory.
Also Read:
Hajj 2023 Pilgrimage: Passport Submission Date Extended
Training sessions on Hajj rituals and administrative issues will be held at all ten Haji Camps across the nation from Thursday. The meeting’s moderator, Minister Talha, briefed the attendees on his recent engagements in Saudi Arabia and urged them not to compromise on the facilities provided to pilgrims.
Hajj 2023 Application Deadline
The deadline for applications for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage for Pakistani pilgrims has passed. The deadline for the Sponsorship Scheme was April 9 and for the ordinary Hajj Scheme, it was April 2. However, the number of applicants did not meet the quota allocated to Pakistan. Consequently, there will be no balloting for intending Hajj pilgrims this year.
Pakistan’s quota for the Hajj in 2023 is 179,210 pilgrims, with 50% reserved for the Sponsorship Scheme. The Religious Affairs Ministry has designated a dollar account for this scheme, allowing Hajj pilgrims to obtain foreign currency from overseas.
Also Read:
Hajj 2023: Thousands of Women Without Mahram Will Perform Hajj this Year
This year’s cost of attending the Hajj has been set at Rs1.175 million per pilgrim, which is 68% more expensive than last year’s cost. Due to the increased cost, many Muslims have decided not to perform the ritual in the face of skyrocketing inflation.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s flag airline, has announced that its pre-Hajj operation will begin on May 21 and continue until August 12. During this period, PIA will transport 38,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land.
For the second consecutive year, PIA has set the price for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia under the private Hajj system at $870 to $1180 for the Southern region, which includes Karachi.
“The national airline has announced flight operations and private fares for Hajj 2023,” the PIA said in a statement. “The airline will continue Hajj flight operation from May 21 to August 2.”
“Under [the private Hajj scheme], this fare has been [settled for pilgrims] in the southern region, which includes fares for pilgrims going [to Saudi Arabia] from Karachi, Quetta, Sukkur Sukkur, and Hyderabad,” it said.
Saudi Arabia is now able to accommodate 2.3 million pilgrims for the first time since the epidemic travel restrictions were lifted. In the 2022 Hajj season, only those between the ages of 18 and 65 who had completed their immunizations against the virus and had no chronic illnesses were allowed to travel to the country.
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Stay tuned to WOW360.
