LAHORE, Dec 1: The Federal Religious Affairs Ministry has advised the intending pilgrims to avoid staying in the buildings lacking safety arrangements in Makkah during the performance of Haj.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, a ministry spokesman said the intending pilgrims should stay only in such buildings in Makkah which had safety arrangements like emergency exits, fire-fighting and fire-alarm system in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the civil defence authorities.

Haj missions of different countries and private tour operators had rented more than 7,000 multi-storey buildings in Makkah approved by the civil defence department. A number of buildings not conforming to safety standards had been refused permits for lodging the pilgrims. — Reporter