A new electronic payment system for pilgrims is awaiting final touches and will be functioning soon, said Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance, after his inspection tour of the Haj terminal in King Abdul Aziz Airport here late Sunday night. After the new system is launched, pilgrims will not need to wait in line after the immigration procedures to pay for Haj Companies' fees at the United Agents Offices at the airport. “This project will end the pilgrim's problems at the airport,” said Al-Assaf. “Pilgrims will be able to pay the fees electronically from his country.” Because of the long procedures of payments, Khawaja Muhammad, a Pakistani pilgrim, had to wait with his wife inside the terminal for a long time after getting off the aircraft. “I have been waiting here for almost five hours,” said Khawaja. “There was no official available to help us out. We have been left here without food or drinks,” he bemoaned. Al-Assaf was briefed on the preparations and services provided to the pilgrims arriving at the airport. The minister commended the efforts of Civil Aviation Authority in achieving further development and upgrading services at the airport.
