LAHORE: Pilgrims proceeding to the holy land under the government scheme started collecting their passports, tickets and other travel documents from the Haji Camp on Saturday.

Lahore Director of Haj Saeed Ahmad Malik advised the pilgrims to collect their passports, tickets and other travel documents from the Haji Camp two days before their departure to Saudi Arabia.

They should not forget to bring with them Haj dues receipt in original carrying a photograph of the pilgrim, bearing date of departure and flight number, the intimation letter issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, computerised national identity card along with two copies, and four photographs attested by the bank concerned.

Vaccination of pilgrims against flu, polio and meningitis was started at the Haji Camp on Aug 25, said Mr Malik.

Designated banks have opened their booths at the Haji Camp for reconciliation of accounts pertaining to payment of differential and other formalities. Differential of rent of the accommodation and actual occupancy would be paid in Pakistani currency through the bank branches where Haj dues were deposited.

The pilgrims would first get their passports and tickets after presenting the intimation letter at the counters of the Pakistan International Airlines or Saudi Airlines.

The pilgrims should verify their particulars on the passport and tickets before leaving the counter and should contact the ministry staff at the Haji Camp in case of any discrepancy.

The pilgrims would then submit their passports and tickets to their respective bank counters to obtain tokens for the payment of foreign exchange denomination of which would vary, depending upon the distance of their residential buildings from the holy places.

A card containing a pilgrim’s identification details, address in Makkah, group and Maktab numbers etc. would also be given that should be laminated, he said.

Mr Malik advised the pilgrims to report at least six hours before the takeoff time of their flight at the Haj terminal of Lahore airport. The pilgrims should have bath before coming to the airport where they would wear Ahram.

“Every pilgrim is allowed to carry a maximum of 30 kilo luggage and seven kilo handbag. Toys with batteries, nail cutters, scissors, blades and gas lighters cannot be carried in the handbags.

“Pilgrims on medication should have the prescription of a physician, registered with the PMDC. They should get all their medicines packed in a plastic bag and got it sealed from the staff at Haji Camp two days before their departure date. Unani medicines, dettol, glucose, Joshanda, Phakki, Chooran and Sharbat are not permissible,” said the Haj director.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014