Govt lets select int'l aircos fly pilgrims

KARACHI: Government has allowed select international airlines to fly Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and back, Geo News reported.

According to an official statement this decision has been taken to appease the international airlines operating in Pakistan as they were somewhat upset over this ban that forbade most of them to carry pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and vice verse.

Talking to Geo News, Malik Subah Sadiq Director General FIA Immigration Department said that a ban on Pakistani pilgrims flying with international airlines has been lifted with immediate effect on federal government directives.

Now pilgrims holding international airlines’ tickets will be able to board on the airways of their choice.

On the other hand Yahya Polani, President Travel Agents Association, told Geo News that this measure would facilitate more than 10,000 pilgrims, who have already enrolled themselves in different group-travel-packages.

First such flight would take off at 6am in the morning today (Thursday).