LAHORE: Pre-Hajj-flight operation from Pakistan has been started as the first flight departed for Madinah from Lahore in the wee hours of Monday.
According to details, a private airline flight carrying 220 intending pilgrims left Allama Iqbal International Airport for Madinah. Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman bade farewell to the pilgrims at the Lahore Airport.
The pre-Hajj-flight operation of the national flag carrier would also begin today (Monday). First Hajj flight under government scheme will depart from Federal Capital today. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to see off the pilgrims from the Islamabad airport.
According to spokesperson of Ministry of Religious Affairs, 32,000 pilgrims will be flown to Saudi Arabia via 106 Hajj flights. The spokesperson said forty-two flights will be operated from Islamabad under Road to Makkah project.
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Hajj pilgrims are also being informed about the flights through the website and SMS on their mobile number.
The Saudi Arabia has launched the ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative in five countries including Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco and Bangladesh.
The country’s ministry of interior said that the “Road to Makkah” initiative aims to receive Hajj pilgrims and complete their procedures from their countries with ease.
