QUETTA, Jan 4: The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will begin Haj flights on Monday from the provincial metropolis to Jeddah to airlift 14,177 pilgrims.

The PIA general manager for Balochistan, Salman Javed, told newsmen on Saturday that a special cell had been set up at the Haji camp to facilitate the Hujjaj, who would use the PIA flights.

He said that a task force headed by the deputy station manager was also established at the airport, where two special Haj flights would depart every day.

The PIA would also arrange special bus service for the pilgrims from Haji camp to the airport, he said and added that to provide best possible on board service to Hujjaj two seats of cabin crew and cockpit crew were being positioned in Quetta so that fresh crew after full rest would operate the flights.

Mr Javed said that each pilgrim was allowed to carry 30 kg luggage for free and from 30 to 45 kg on flat rate of SR 50.

The PIA would also provide Ahrams to all intending pilgrims as a special gesture, and upon their return would provide Aab-i- Zam Zam to them.