MIANWALI, Dec 7: More than 1,000 Pakistani pilgrims, including Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi, JI leader Liaquat Baloch and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday (retired), are facing a tough time in Mina as they could not get tents there and were forced to stay at footpaths.

Muhammad Naseem Khan Niazi, one of the pilgrims of Maktab 6 batch, told Dawn by telephone from Mina (Saudi Arabia) on Saturday night.

He said that batch-mates, including the women pilgrims, had to remain on the move because the security personnel did not allow them to stay at footpaths for longer duration.

“We are shocked to see the arrangements made at the Maktab 6 and the inefficiency of the staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan. Even the guides sent by our government to address pilgrims’ problem are nowhere to be seen,” he said.

He said the pilgrims would move to Arafat on Sunday and they would have to face the ordeal for two more days after their return to Mina.