Pakistan Launches Hajj Operations as First Pilgrims Depart for Saudi Arabia
By Sardar Burhan :
Hajj flights from Pakistan have begun, with the first group of pilgrims leaving Karachi in the early hours of Saturday for Saudi Arabia.
Officials said the inaugural flight, carrying around 160 pilgrims, departed from Jinnah International Airport and landed in Madinah, where passengers were received by local authorities and Hajj service teams. The journey was facilitated under the Road to Makkah Project, allowing travellers to complete immigration procedures before departure.
Pakistan International Airlines is due to start its Hajj operations from Sunday, with plans to transport more than 55,000 pilgrims through nearly 200 flights during the season.
Most pilgrims will travel under the government scheme, while others will perform Hajj through private arrangements. Flights are scheduled from several Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Quetta.
The first PIA service is expected to depart from Sialkot, with additional flights from Faisalabad, Multan and Islamabad scheduled in the following days. Lahore’s first departure is planned for later in the month.
Earlier, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said arrangements for Hajj 2026 had been finalised, promising no additional costs and improved facilities for pilgrims, including travel, accommodation and transport.
He added that a new route from Lahore to Saudi Arabia had been introduced to ease travel, while coordination with private operators would continue to ensure smooth operations.
Authorities aim to facilitate around 180,000 pilgrims this year, highlighting ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in managing the annual pilgrimage.
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