LAHORE, Sept 19: Vaccination and training of pilgrims intending to perform Haj under government scheme started at the Haji Camp in Lahore on Monday.

The first Haj flight would leave Lahore on Oct 1 at 3.45pm and some 38,000 pilgrims would leave Lahore for the holy pilgrimage this year, Ministry of Religious Affairs Additional Secretary Arshad Bhatti informed the participants of the training programme.

Vaccination and training of pilgrims would continue at the Haji camp in Lahore till Sept 24. The intending pilgrims would be vaccinated against flu, polio and meningitis. Departure schedule of every pilgrim had also been made available on the website (www.hajjinfo.org) of the ministry of religious affairs. It could be obtained by entering application form number at the relevant column there.

Pilgrims would report eight hours before the take-off time of their flight at the Haji Camp from where they would be boarded in buses for the airport. Pilgrims will collect their passport, ticket and other travel document from the Haji Camp a day before their departure to Saudi Arabia.

Designated banks would open their booths at the Haji Camp, a week before the first Haj flight for reconciliation of accounts pertaining to payment of differential and other formalities. Differential between rent of accommodation and actual occupancy would be paid in Pakistani currency through the banks branches where Haj dues were deposited, said Mr Bhatti.

They should not forget to bring with them Haj dues receipt in original carrying 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, four photographs attested by the bank concerned and a certificate that the pilgrim had been vaccinated against flu, polio and meningitis.

The pilgrims would first get their passports and tickets after presenting the intimation letter to 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 page of the passport containing a pilgrim’s identification details, address in Makkah, group and Maktab numbers etc. would be taken and returned after lamination. “It would be the identity card of a pilgrim,” said Bhatti.

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 sealed from the ministry staff. “Unani medicines, dettol, glucose, Joshanda, Phakki, Chooran and Sharbat are not permissible,” he said and added that every pilgrim would be allowed to carry 30 kilo luggage.