PESHAWAR: A total of 505 pilgrims departed from Bacha Khan International Airport as Haj operations started here on Monday.

An official at the directorate of Haj said two flights of private airlines carrying 505 pilgrims left for Jeddah. They were brought from Haji Camp in Hayatabad Town to the airport in buses.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra saw off the pilgrims at the airport.

Provincial minister for Haj and religious affairs Habibur Rehman and director Haj Shakil Ahmad Sethi were also present on the occasion.

“You are the ambassadors of Pakistan and present better image of the country abroad,” said an official statement while quoting the governor as telling the departing pilgrims. He also asked them to pray for peace, stability, development and prosperity of the country on visiting the holy places.

From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 19,500 persons will perform Haj under the official scheme, while 11,400 will avail the opportunity through the private Haj scheme.

The national flag carrier will operate 27 flights while private airlines will operate 41 flights to transport pilgrims from Peshawar to Saudi Arabia.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2017