LAHORE: Flight schedule for pilgrims intending to perform Haj under the government scheme has been made available on a website (www.hajjinfo.org) of the ministry of religious affairs.

Complete departure schedule can be obtained by entering first six digits of the application form number and the computerized national identity card number at the relevant column there, Ministry of Religious Affairs Secretary Sikandar Ismael Khan told reporters at the Haji Camp here on Saturday.

He said the departure schedule was also being sent through SMS to successful applicants under the government scheme while special letters were also being dispatched on the postal address given in the application.

Mr Khan said any pilgrim could obtain information pertaining to the sacred journey by calling at the ministry’s toll-free helpline 042-111-725-425 in Pakistan. During stay at Saudi Arabia, they can contact on toll-free helpline 800-11666222.

From Saudi Arabia, pilgrims can dial 0092-42-35880054.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been finalized to vaccinate pilgrims intending to perform Haj under the government scheme at the Haji Camp of Lahore from Monday (Aug 25).

The pilgrims would be vaccinated against flu, polio and meningitis, said a spokesman on Saturday.

Special centres had also been set up at the directorates of Haj all over the country to vaccinate pilgrims intending to perform the sacred journey under the private Haj group organizers. These centres will continue to function till the last flight takes off from Pakistan.

All the pilgrims will have to present proof of their vaccination on arrival at Saudi Arabia where they will again be administered anti-polio drops at the airport.

Pilgrims suffering from diabetes, heart and kidney ailments, respiratory diseases should also get themselves vaccinated against influenza, said the spokesman.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2014