Quetta: The country was once again shaken by the earthquake as severe tremors of 3.3 magnitude earthquake were felt in Quetta and its surroundings on Thursday.

According to the seismometer, the magnitude of the earthquake was 3.3, and the depth was 30 km. The epicentre was 23 kilometres south of Quetta.

After the earthquake, fear spread everywhere and people came out of the buildings reciting Holy verses. However, no loss of life or property was reported.

Lahore: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Thursday started the pre-Hajj operation and the first Hajj flight PK-717 from Lahore departed for Madinah.

329 Hajj pilgrims departed from the first Hajj flight which was seen off by PIA Chief Project Officer Khurram Mushtaq. A grand ceremony was also organized to see off the Hajj pilgrims at Lahore Airport.

Chief Project Officer Khurram Mushtaq said that Hajj pilgrims should remember Pakistan and PIA in their prayers. PIA has formed special Hajj teams to facilitate pilgrims in Pakistan and Madinah. PIA is transporting pilgrims to Madinah and Jeddah.

It is pertinent to note that PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat is directly supervising the Hajj operation, special arrangements were made for the pilgrims at Lahore Airport.

Earlier in the night, the first flight of the private airline carrying 150 Hajj pilgrims departed from Karachi International Airport for Madinah while the second flight from Karachi arrived in Saudi Arabia carrying 180 pilgrims. The officials bid farewell to the pilgrims.

Under the government scheme, the Hajj operation which started today will continue till June 9 and 68,000 pilgrims will reach the Holy Hijaz through 259 Hajj flights. Under the Road to Makkah project, the Saudi authorities are conducting the immigration of Hajj pilgrims in Karachi.

Lahore: As India allowed the exports of onions, the price of the vegetable in Pakistan has fell sharply.

Onion, which was sold for Rs200 to Rs250 per kilogrammes for several months, started selling at Rs100 to Rs120 per kg.

In Lahore, onion is being sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg, in Dera Ismail Khan and Swat, one kg onion is available at Rs120, while in Sukkur, it is available at Rs130 per kg.

On the other hand, according to the Food Minister of Punjab Bilal Yasin, there are 2.3 million metric tons of wheat stock in the province, naan and roti are available across Punjab at reduced notified prices.

Bilal Yasin further said a bag of 20 kg flour is available in the market for Rs1700 to Rs1800. A bag of 20 kg flour became cheaper by Rs1000 in a month.