Post-Hajj operations commence today with more than a dozen flights

The post-Hajj flight operations for thousands of Pakistani pilgrims are set to commence today, with over a dozen flights operated by private airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The first set of post-Hajj flights from PIA, Serene Air, Airblue, and Airsial will bring pilgrims back to various cities across Pakistan.

Today marks the beginning of a large-scale operation to ensure the safe return of over 2,500 pilgrims on the first day. Flights will be arriving at major airports, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, and Sialkot. The national airline’s first post-Hajj flight is scheduled to land at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 1:40 pm. This marks the first of many flights dedicated to repatriating pilgrims who have completed their Hajj pilgrimage.

Today, 1,200 pilgrims will reach home through seven Hajj flights to four different cities, according to the spokesperson for the Religious Affairs Ministry. The first Hajj flight carrying 150 pilgrims from Jeddah will reach Multan at 12:30 pm, while another will land in Lahore at 2:15 pm with 190 pilgrims.

Another flight, PA-173, carrying 180 pilgrims, will land in Karachi at 2:35 pm. The first post-Hajj flight in Islamabad, PA-273, will arrive in the capital with 200 passengers at 3:20 pm. Another Hajj flight carrying 180 passengers will land in Multan today at 3:35 pm, while a separate flight carrying 150 passengers will arrive in Islamabad at 6 pm.

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In Lahore, the second Hajj flight carrying 150 passengers will reach the airport at 7 pm, the spokesperson explained. Flight operations for the return of Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah will continue till July 9. The last Hajj flight from Madinah will return home on July 21, the spokesman added. He also said that 720 pilgrims will be sent to Madinah today to visit the Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH).

Authorities have made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and efficient process for the returning pilgrims. Special measures have been put in place at all major airports to facilitate their arrival and handle the influx of passengers efficiently. This massive repatriation effort highlights the collaboration between the government and private airlines to ensure the safe and timely return of Pakistani pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, officials from several countries have confirmed that most of their pilgrims who passed away during the current Hajj season were individuals who entered Saudi Arabia on tourism or visit visas months before the rituals began. These individuals remained in Makkah until the Hajj season and performed the pilgrimage without proper authorization, lacking support from any company or entity to provide accommodation, food, or transportation services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad confirmed that most of the deceased Tunisian pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom on tourism, visit, or Umrah visas.