Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday asked those going to the holy land of Hejaz to perform Hajj this year that they must have personal smartphones with them, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In its instructions, the airline also urged them to get Nusuk App installed on their cellphones prior to their departure from Lahore.

Furthermore, the PIA asked them to get details of their passports from the Pakistan House and then share these with the airline’s officials in case they lost their tickets.

Each passenger, the national flag carrier said, would be allowed to carry with him seven kilos of luggage while the weight of other items in the luggage should not be more than 40 kilos.

“Pilgrims will have to pay additional charges to the airline if their luggage weighs more than what has been allowed,” read one of the instructions.   

The PIA went on to say that the pilgrims travelling from Pakistan to Medina or to Jeddah would have to pay an additional $5 per kilo in case their luggage weighed more than what had been permitted.

Similarly, the airline said, the passengers returning to Pakistan either from Jeddah or Medina would have to pay 35 Saudi Riyals on each kilo of luggage in excess of the prescribed limit.

Pilgrims were told that they would not be allowed to bring with them Aabe Zam Zam stuffed into their luggage.

Similarly, they would not be allowed to carry with them matches, power bank, cylinders, emergency lights, lanterns, stoves, explosive material, nail cutters, scissors, lighters and toys powered by a battery.

The national flag carrier, in its instructions, made it obligatory for the pilgrims to produce NADRA vaccination cards before boarding the planes.

They were also asked to reach airports six hours ahead of the departure of their flights from Pakistan.

The airline made it clear to the passengers that only they would be responsible for the cancellation of their tickets in the event of their failure to reach airports on time.

Reporter: Saeed Ahmad Saeed