Talking to Arab News after receiving the first batch of 468 pilgrims who arrived on Monday on a special PIA flight from Karachi, Alisherzai said that there have so far been no cancellations because of the floods.

Pakistan will, like last year, be sending 160,000 pilgrims this year. PIA will bring 120,000 pilgrims on 275 special flights while 25,000 will come on Saudia flights. The rest will travel via other carriers and scheduled PIA flights.

Among those who received the pilgrims at King Abdulaziz Airport’s Haj Terminal were Pakistan’s Consul General in Jeddah Adul Salik Khan, Pakistan Haj Mission’s Acting Director Sultan Ali Shah and PIA’s Country Manager Khurram Mushtaq.

The Karachi flight in the morning was followed later in the day by flights from Lahore and Peshawar, which brought more than 500 pilgrims. Starting Monday, PIA’s pre-Haj operation will last for 31 days ending on Nov. 10, said Mushtaq.

He added that PIA’s offices in Makkah and Madinah and at the Haj Terminal will remain open round the clock during the entire Haj season. “This has been done to help pilgrims get reservations and other services,” he said.

But unlike previous years, no direct flight from Pakistan will land in Madinah this year. No reason has been assigned.

A source told Arab News that PIA has the right to fly directly to Madinah but the Pakistan government has decided not to take advantage of this.