Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Khawaja Muhammad Abdullah, former All Pakistan Bedsheet & Upholstry Manufacturers Association (Apbuma) chairman Syed Muhammad Qasim Shah, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) Chairman Khawaja Muhammad Younas and Private Haj Operators have demanded direct Haj flights from Multan.
In addition to the allocation of a quota of 10,000 individuals for Multan under a private Haj scheme because it covers a vast area of southern Punjab.
In their separate statements, they said that direct Haj flights were started a few years back with the committed efforts of local politicians. Later, these flights were stopped without any cogent reason. However, on public pressure, indirect Haj flights were started via Karachi multiplying the sufferings of the guests of Allah.
They demanded direct Haj flights from Multan to Jeddah to facilitate the people of this region. They also demanded quota of 10,000 individuals for Multan under the private Haj scheme.
Justifying this demand, they said that Multan was the important city of Pakistan and centre of Southern Punjab while it was also the most convenient centre for the intending pilgrims from Dera Ghazi Khan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Leiah, Rajanpur, Khanewal, Sadiqabad, and Bhakkar.
It was imperative to facilitate the people of Multan in addition to defusing mounting pressure on government-managed Haj operation, they added.