Apparently, Senator Rehman Malik is a friend of friends, and love to make new friends. Every year he sends a special charter flight full of Hajjis, including family and friends. The good Senator believes in doing good deeds without publicity therefore the VIP Hajj package is totally hush-hush. However, news of his “Rehmani Hajj Flight” made it to the media this year as some Saudi got jealous of his charity.
According to the Jang:
Saudi officials took PIA flight that landed at Jeddah airport in their custody for not following the Hajj Flight Schedule deadlines. Later plane’s control was handed back after a payment of 200,000 Saudi Riyals was made.
The plane’s passengers included three sisters and two brother-in-laws of Home Minister Rehman Malik. List of 189 passengers also included Mujataba Gilani brother of Yousuf Raza Gilani, and favorite journalists of Rehman Malik.
The plane landed at Jeddah airport on Thursday afternoon. Initially Saudis decided to forfeit Airbus A-310 but later on diplomatic intervention they allowed the plane to return. Earlier, PK-7412 was delayed for 15 hours at Islamabad airport as Saudi civil aviation was not providing the clearance to it. However, PIA officials decided to take off after immense pressure from “top authorities”. Due to arrangement for this special flight, PIA’s schedule for Europe and other countries was badly impacted.
Sources state that Rehman Malik arranged for this special Hajj flight to benefit his friends and family. Last year a similar flight was operated whose Hajjis were tagged as Rehmani Hujjaj. However, this year the flight got delayed due to non-clearance from the Saudis.
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I APPRECIATE THE MINISTER FOR ARRANGING SUCH FLIGHT, IF DONE FROM HIS OWN PERSONAL RESOURCES.
IF HE USED RESOURCES, FINANCES AND EFFORT FROM GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN, I SALUTE HIM FOR HIS BOLDNESS. MR. REHMAN MALIK ONLY BOLD PEOPLE SURVIVE. YOU WILL SURVIVE EVEN IF THE POOR COUNTRY DOES NOT SURVIVE THE SHOCKS GIVEN BY YOU AND OTHER BOLD PEOPLE LIKE YOU.