KARACHI: A month-long post-Hajj flight operation is set to commence on Sunday (today) to bring back nearly 82,000 government Hajj scheme pilgrims and culminate their spiritual journey.
The airlines such as Pakistan International Airlines,(PIA), Airblue, Serene Air, and Saudi Airlines will work together to facilitate the safe return of Pakistani pilgrims.
PIA will begin its post-Hajj flight operation from today and the first flight will land at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 3:35 PM.
The first post-Hajj flight will bring pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan today. The post-Hajj flight operation will continue from July 2 to August 2.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said P that a total of three flights will depart from Jeddah on Sunday, July 2.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Talha Mehmood will be travelling on one of the flights bound for Islamabad International Airport.
The three flights carrying 693 pilgrims will reach Karachi, Faisalabad and Islamabad from Jeddah. The Hajj flight operation from Jeddah to culminate on July 20.
Officials of religious affairs and interfaith harmony, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the airlines concerned will welcome the returning pilgrims, while five litres of Aab-e-Zam Zam would be provided to pilgrims upon their arrival at the airport.
The departure of pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah will begin on July 2, while the first Hajj flight operation from Madinah to Pakistan will start on July 5. A total of 38,000 pilgrims will be sent to Madinah while the last Hajj flight from Madinah will reach home on August 2.
Minister of Religious Affairs, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, has commended the Pakistan Hajj mission’s team for their exceptional efforts in making Hajj arrangements.
Chairing a meeting, the minister stressed the importance of providing comprehensive services to the pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, leaving no aspect unattended. He directed the mission to further enhance the post-Hajj facilities provided to the pilgrims.
Additionally, he urged the Hajj mission to initiate preparations for the next Hajj without delay to enhance the pilgrims’ experience through improved accommodations, meals, and transportation facilities in the upcoming year.
