First PIA flight brings over 1000 Hujjaj back to the country

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has begun returning Hujjaj (pilgrims) from Saudi Arabia. The airlines’ spokesman said in a statement that the first post-Haj flights arrived in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar on Sunday, bringing back more than 1,300 pilgrims.

More than 377 pilgrims were returned to Karachi, 392 to Islamabad, 323 to Lahore, and 276 to Peshawar by the airlines.

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, PIA Airport Station Manager Javed Pechuho, and PIA passenger handling service staff welcomed the maiden return flight to Karachi.

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Rose garlands were handed to the travellers. CAA officials were also on hand to greet the pilgrims.

Senator Talha Mehmood welcomed and received the pilgrims at Islamabad International Airport, and accompanied them on their journey.

Pilgrims at Lahore Airport were greeted by PIA Airport Station Manager Ali Abbas Shah and PIA passenger handling service staff, while pilgrims at Peshawar Airport were greeted by PIA and CAA officials.

National airlines will fly almost 268 flights to return 61,467 pilgrims. PIA flights would bring around 41,000 government plan pilgrims, 19,000 private pilgrims, and 600 khuddam from Jeddah and Madina Airports to Pakistan.

Direct Haj flights will be available from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Peshawar.

To assist pilgrims, the airlines have made exceptional arrangements at Jeddah and Madina airports. On August 2, the PIA post-Haj operation would come to an end.