19 November 2004	Friday	06 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: The chairman of Pakistan International Airlines has ordered a high-level inquiry into the causes of recent congestion of PIA passengers in Saudi Arabia, with thousands of Umra pilgrims stranded.

According to a press release issued here on Thursday, members of the committee, Wasim Bari, director administration, and Col Ahsan Siddiqui (retired), director airport services, were to ?leave for Jeddah on Thursday evening. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three days.

In a separate press release issued in Karachi, PIA accused the ministry of religious affairs of undermining the airline's efforts by terming the congestion of Umra pilgrims in Saudi Arabia a result of PIA's mishandling. The facts, the press release claimed, were 'just the contrary'.

It said this year PIA carried a record number of pilgrims to Jeddah, some 62,000, and till Thursday it had been able to bring back 70 per cent of them. Necessary arrangements for timely airlifting of the remaining pilgrims have also been completed.

The minister for religious affairs, the press release said, "would bail PIA out in the circumstances when the Saudi authorities in Pakistan were showing their large-heartedness and they continued to issue visa as late as 27th of Ramazan, and when tour operators were offering two to three days' Umra packages, without involving PIA. Besides, a majority of the pilgrims, who are said to be stranded, wanted to remain in Makkah on the 27th of Ramazan and return home for Eid.

PIA claimed that because of its experience of 50 years, it was able to manage 'such a huge operation', and said: "But it is unfortunate that the national flag carrier is being criticized rather than being strengthened for ensuring smooth Umra operation in future."