LAHORE: The first haj flight carrying 161 pilgrims departed for Medina from Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Saturday.

Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Khalid Masood Chaudhry and Haj Director Saeed Ahmad Malik saw off the pilgrims.

Talking to the media, the secretary said all possible efforts had been made to provide the best facilities to the pilgrims.

The haj director said special attention had been paid on the training of pilgrims so that they could perform rituals in an efficient manner. He said the pilgrims had been appealed to offer special prayers for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2018