First hajj flight on Wednesday

KABUL flight taking 230 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage is scheduled to take off from the Kabul International Airport at 4am on Wednesday, an official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Hajj and Auqaf Minister Dayee-ul-Haq Abid told Pajhwok Afghan News the process of airlifting pilgrims to the holy city of Makkah would take a month to complete, as planned by the ministry.

The departing group included 20 officials of hajj and public heath ministries, said Abid, who added the group would be accompanied by four guides. Health, transport and accommodation arrangements for pilgrims have already been made.

Contracts for operating hajj flights had been awarded to Safi, Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines, he said, adding about 30,000 Afghans would perform this year’s pilgrimage.

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