ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Pakistan International Airlines has provided two Airbus aircraft to Afghanistan to ferry intending Afghan Hujjaj from Kabul to Jeddah.

The first Airbus flew into Kabul on Sunday and returned here with 270 Afghan pilgrims. After a brief refuelling stopover at Islamabad, it left for the holyland.

During the stopover at the Islamabad airport, Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan went inside the plane to welcome and inquire about the welfare of the Afghan intending pilgrims. He wished them a safe and comfortable journey.

He said the aircraft were arranged at a short notice keeping in view the brotherly and religious ties between the two peoples.

Another Airbus will go to Kabul on Monday to facilitate airlifting of another 270 Afghan Hujjaj from Kabul to Jeddah.

Aziz Ahmed Khan said the two aircraft were made available in response to a request by interim Afghan administration Chairman Hamid Karzai to President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Khan requested the Afghan pilgrims to pray for the solidarity, integrity and progress of the two brotherly neighbours.

The intending Hujjaj reciprocated the sentiments and said they were supportive of the fraternal feelings and friendship between both the countries.

The Afghan pilgrims thanked Pakistan for helping and looking after them during the flight.

Later, Khan told newsmen that the Afghan administration was facing difficulties in sending intending Afghan Hujjaj, who, attired in ahram, had been marooned at the Kabul airport amid freezing cold for the last three days.—APP