PESHAWAR: Pakistan will begin direct Hajj flights to Jeddah from today, Monday, the religious affairs ministry said, with nearly 37,000 Pakistani pilgrims already sent to the Kingdom since the pre-pilgrimage flight operation began last month.
Pakistan started its pre-Hajj flight operations on Apr. 18 and since then has sent 32,454 pilgrims under the government scheme to Saudi Arabia via 126 flights. Additionally, 4,489 Pakistani pilgrims have also reached Saudi Arabia through private tour operators, the religious affairs ministry said.
“The departure of Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia is ongoing,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement. “Direct Hajj flights to Jeddah will begin from May 4.”
The ministry said a total of 4,377 Hajj pilgrims will depart via 17 flights from various cities in Pakistan.
MoRA said Pakistan Hajj Mission’s main control office continues to provide various services to pilgrims, adding that the Lost and Found department has assisted six pilgrims and recovered and delivered around 37 wheelchairs and 3,700 bags to their destinations so far.
It said Haram guides have helped over 13,000 pilgrims with directions to locations in Saudi Arabia. MoRA said the Hajj Medical Mission is also providing services to Pakistani pilgrims. It said the mission has so far helped pilgrims with 132 dental procedures, 28 X-rays, 18 laboratory tests and provided 5,000 outpatient department services.
The Hajj operation involves complex coordination of transport, accommodation and logistics as pilgrims move between key religious sites. Pakistan is expected to send over 179,000 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
