Top (From L) Aftab Khokher, Syed Ahmed Abu Akif, Azeem Usmani and Wasim Bukhari addressing the audience. Bottom: The award ceremony organized by the Pakistan Haj Volunteers Group at Pakistan International School (Azizia). — SG photos Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Pakistan's consul general in Jeddah commended the excellent services rendered by Haj volunteers during the pilgrimage season last year. Addressing an award ceremony organized by the Pakistan Haj Volunteers Group (PHVG) at Pakistan International School (Azizia), Aftab Ahmed Khokher said Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and serving pilgrims is a great worship because they are the guests of Allah. "We hold our heads high and the whole nation is proud of the unparalleled services of PHVG volunteers during the 2013 pilgrimage," he said. The consul general praised the sincere and selfless services of PHVG volunteers who helped pilgrims only for the sake of the reward from Allah and salvation in the hereafter. The government of Pakistan and its Haj mission will benefit from the services of PHVG in future, he added. Earlier, Syed Ahmed Abu Akif, director of Haj at the consulate, praised PHVG volunteers for taking advantage of the support given by the Haj mission in serving pilgrims. He assured that the Haj mission of Pakistan would continue its support to the PHVG. Azeem Usmani and Wasim Shahid Bukhari, senior members of PHVG, also spoke. Bukhari said the group was launched in 2011 with only 85 volunteers. In 2012, the membership rose to 230 and in 2012 the group deployed 1,200 volunteers in the service of pilgrims in the holy sites. He said during the upcoming Haj season, the PHVG hopes to field 3,000 volunteers. He added that the group mobilizes volunteers from Riyadh, Dammam, Taif and Madinah. Appreciation certificates were distributed to the volunteers at the function.
