Religious Affairs Secretary Anisur Rahman yesterday called upon 44 hajj agencies to ensure air tickets for aspirant hajis by August 2 to complete procedures in renting houses and catering in Saudi Arabia.

He also warned the agencies that the Saudi government this year confirmed that no extra slots for hajj flights will be provided.

“So the air tickets must be ensured in proper time. The last hajj flight of Biman and Saudi Airlines is scheduled to leave Dhaka on August 15 and August 17 respectively. No one will be able to leave for hajj after that,” he said.

The secretary was attending a meeting at the secretariat with the authorities of the 44 hajj agencies, which were yet to confirm the air tickets. “I'm still hopeful that there will be no problem with the tickets…,” he added.

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) President Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan urged the secretary to increase the rate of pilgrims' replacement for ticket confirmation.

However, Anisur said the government has no such a plan for now. According to the existing policy, four percent pilgrim replacement is possible.

The hajj is scheduled to be held on August 21, subject to sighting of the moon.

A total of 1,26,198 Bangladeshis are scheduled to perform hajj under the government and private  management.

The hajj flight started operating on July 14.