LAHORE, Jan 8: The ordeal of intending pilgrims continued on Wednesday as a good number of pilgrims could not get their visa-stamped passports despite the fact that they missed their scheduled flights.

According to the affected pilgrims, some 34 pilgrims who missed flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, were found perturbed and running from pillar to post to get hold of their passports.

It was learnt that 11 pilgrims missed PK-1303 while six other pilgrims missed PK-1403 that took off on Tuesday at 12:15pm and 3:15pm, respectively. Similarly, 17 pilgrims missed their PK-1303 flight left for Jeddah at 12:15pm on Wednesday.

A woman pilgrim also complained that her relatives had already left for Jeddah while she had yet not received her visa for travel.

When contacted, Lahore Haj Directorate Director Muhammad Frogh said the number of pilgrims looking for visas to leave for Jeddah at their scheduled flights had reduced considerably. He said that a good number of passports would also be received at around 11pm and hopefully those missed flights would be accommodated on Thursday flights.

Mr Frogh also said that the banks in the Haj directorate were being kept open round-the-clock to facilitate the pilgrims. He said the PIA staff was also fully cooperating with the Haj directorate to facilitate the pilgrims.

He also said that the directorate had ample space to accommodate around 800 pilgrims besides emergency arrangements for even more pilgrims.

He said that all pilgrims were being provided heater and geyser services besides warm bedding, quilts and blankets.

He said that the rush on the Empress Road, Naulakha, was of those coming to meet the intending pilgrims.

He said the visitors were not allowed to enter the haji camp as they might create problems for the pilgrims.