LAHORE: As many as 910 more pilgrims reached Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi through different flights on Monday as post flight hajj operation continued on the second day.
First Hajj flight carrying 156 passengers and second flight with 354 pilgrims landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
Talking to media at the airport, the pilgrims complained that no Pakistani authority was present to assist them after Mina tragedy. They said the Ministry of Religious Affairs did not make any special effort.
In Karachi, more than 150 pilgrims returned through PIA and a private airline. Some of them were of the view that Mina tragedy could have been averted if the pilgrims had showed some patience and followed guidelines.
Another special PIA flight PK-6312 carrying 350 pilgrims landed at Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad. PIA’s Hajj flight operation will continue till October 28.
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has confirmed martyrdom of thirty six Pakistani pilgrims in Mina stampede.
Talking to the state TV, he said eighty five Pakistani pilgrims are still missing.
He said contacts have been made with 217 missing Pakistani pilgrims and efforts are underway to reach the remaining missing persons.
