89,000 illegal pilgrims returned

(BATKHELA-MOVIES)JEDDAH: The Passport Department has sent back 89,000 people who were traveling to Makkah without Haj permit, majority of them were locals, while others belonged to different countries including Pakistan.

The passport officials also arrested 1,600 overstayed and those who violated residence regulations or attempting to sneak in with forged permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

There are 16 passport checkpoints around Makkah and four in Madinah region.

In a related development, the police prevented the entry of 4,158 vehicles and sent them back because the passengers did not carry Haj permits until Thursday evening, a statement of the Makkah police said in Mina.

Saudi department has banned passenger vehicles with less than 25 seats from entering into Makkah, anyone violating will be slapped a penalty of 1500 to 5000 Riyals besides confiscation of the vehicle.