https://arab.news/2vk9v
- Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for upcoming Hajj pilgrimage
- The inaugural Hajj flight departed for Madinah from Karachi early Saturday, with 160 pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday launched its Hajj flight operation, with the first flight under Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative departing from Lahore, an official statement said, as the country began transporting thousands of pilgrims for the annual pilgrimage.
The initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete immigration formalities before departure, has been expanded to Lahore for the first time this year, joining Islamabad and Karachi as Pakistan prepares to send over 179,000 pilgrims to the Kingdom.
“The inaugural Hajj flight under the Route to Makkah Initiative ... successfully departed Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport,” the Pakistan Airports Authority said in a statement, adding that operations remained smooth throughout the flight’s departure.
Saudi and Pakistani officials, including Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, attended a ceremony at the airport to mark the occasion, as authorities highlighted the initiative’s role in easing travel for pilgrims.
Separately, Pakistan’s first pre-Hajj flight, PF-7700, departed from Karachi earlier in the day carrying 160 pilgrims to Madinah, according to the Sindh Directorate of Hajj.
Officials said a total of 660 pilgrims were expected to arrive in Madinah on April 18 via three flights, marking the start of the country’s pre-Hajj airlift, which is scheduled to continue until May 21.
Authorities have urged pilgrims to use the “Pak Hajj 2026” mobile application for updates on flights, departure timings and other travel information.
Pakistan first joined the Makkah Route Initiative in recent years as part of efforts to streamline the Hajj journey, with officials saying the expansion to Lahore is expected to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion at Saudi airports during peak travel days.