ISLAMABAD: More than 170 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year, based on an initiative by a charity organization in the UAE funded by the emirates’ president, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The initiative seeks to facilitate 175 financially underprivileged Pakistanis by taking care of their expenses for the pilgrimage this year.
UAE officials were present at the Islamabad airport on Tuesday, Aug 6, to bid special goodbye to Pakistani pilgrims sponsored for Hajj by UAE. (Photo courtesy: UAE Embassy in Islamabad)
According to a statement issued by the UAE embassy in Pakistan, authorities have already helped 102 pilgrims embark on their journey to Saudi Arabia from the Karachi and Islamabad airports, respectively.
Head of Admin and HR at the UAE mission in Islamabad, Rashid Abdul Zaman Al Ali, was present at the Islamabad airport to bid special good bye to the fortunate pilgrims who got a chance to perform Hajj through their government charity organization, read the official handout.
While 40 people boarded the special Hajj flight from Islamabad, 62 others left from Karachi. Meanwhile, additional pilgrims left for Makkah from Quetta using other scheduled flights, the statement added.
All 175 Pakistani pilgrims hail from the Rahim Yar Khan and Balochistan areas.
UAE officials were present at the Islamabad airport on Tuesday, Aug 6, to bid special goodbye to Pakistani pilgrims sponsored for Hajj by UAE. (Photo courtesy: UAE Embassy in Islamabad)
The charity was started by Sheikh Al Nahyan in the memory of his father and facilitates various projects for the underprivileged, not only in Pakistan but across the globe as well.
The last Hajj flight run by the government will depart on August 6, while those by private operators will leave on August 8.
