JEDDAH: A total of 143,368 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj this year, with the first flight, carrying 150 pilgrims, arriving in Madinah from Karachi on Sunday.

The operation to transport pilgrims from various cities of Pakistan to the Kingdom will continue till Sept. 17, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, director general of Haj in Pakistan, said on Friday.

Flights carrying pilgrims will take off from Islamabad, Lahore , Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Rahimyaar Khan and Sukkur, he said.

“Almost 33 percent of Pakistani pilgrims will arrive in Madina. The first batch of pilgrims arriving in Jeddah will be received by Aftab Ahmed Khokher, Consul General of Pakistan, on behalf of ambassador Manzoor-ul-Haq,” he said.

Akif said that this year, 71,684 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj under the government scheme and will arrive through 293 flights. “The country is sending a comparatively less number of pilgrims this year, keeping in mind the expansion project at the Holy Mosques. However, we hope the quota of Pakistani pilgrims will go back to normal, that is 180,000, from next year.”

A total of 137 buildings have been hired for the government quota pilgrims in one single category for which SR3,000 have been charged, inclusive of transportation and food, he said.

“The accommodation rate in Madinah has been fixed at SR600 per pilgrim for an eight-day stay. Over 75 percent of Pakistani pilgrims will stay in the central area and a 24X7 shuttle service will be available for transportation,” he said

Around 300 welfare staff, 450 medical team members and 250 government staff will come from Pakistan and 500 welfare staff will be hired locally.

The return flights will start on Sept. 27, with the first flight taking off from Jeddah, and the last flight is scheduled for Oct. 28, he added.