LAHORE, Dec 2: Of the 150,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan this year, 37,000 will fly from the provincial capital. Disclosing this at a press conference at the Hajj Camp here on Friday, Religious Affairs Ministry’s Hajj coordinator Faroghe Aftab said the pilgrims would leave here aboard 82 PIA and Saudi Airlines flights. Of them, 24 flights would leave for Madina and remaining 58 for Jeddah.

Governor Khalid Maqbool would see-off the first batch of 456 on the first flight from Lahore for Jeddah on Dec 5.

He advised all intending pilgrims to confirm their seats before departure and report at the Hajj Camp two days before the departure date. They should start their journey in accordance with their booking failing which they would have to wait indefinitely for departure.

He advised them not to bring food, bedspreads or blankets with them as they were not allowed on flights. They would be provided these things during the stay at the Haj Camp. The pilgrims should also say goodbye to their relations at their homes and come to the camp alone as none other would be allowed to enter.

Mr Aftab said pilgrims should collect foreign exchange in the form of dollars and riyals immediately after arrival at Hajj Camp from the counter of their bank by showing their passport, ticket and receipt. They could stay at the camp after reporting or go outside. But they would have to report there at least six hours before the time of flight.

He said boarding pass would be issued from the Hajj Camp. Those reaching the airport directly would not be issued boarding cards and miss their flights.

He said the pilgrims should not book their ahram with the luggage as they would have to wear it before departure. Those pilgrims leaving for Jeddah would have to wear the ahram at the Hajj Camp or the airport. Others whose cards bore ‘Before Hajj’ stamps would reach Madina first and would not be required to be in ahram before departure.