Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) carried on Sunday more than 2,800 pilgrims on seven flights on the first day after Haj from Jeddah to Lahore, Peshawar Islamabad and Quetta.

Akbar Hussain Rajput, manager at PIA in the Saudi capital, said, “We are keeping in touch with all staff members to provide ease and comfort to support the pilgrims.”

He said, “PIA will bring more than 67,000 pilgrims to Pakistan through 149 post-Haj flights.

Senior PIA officials will receive the pilgrims at their destinations. The departure of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia will continue till Nov. 18.”

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid welcomed the pilgrims, including Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Muhammad Amin-ul-Hasnat Shah, who returned after performing Haj rituals.

Pervaiz Rashid appreciated the efforts of the Saudi government for “making the best arrangements for pilgrims.” He said, “I hope these arrangements will be further improved in the coming years.”

Sardar Muhammad Yusuf said they have made constant efforts to provide maximum facilities to the pilgrims.

He said, “It was a big achievement of the ministry that the Pakistani pilgrims faced no difficulties in performing Haj rituals as all arrangements were well-organized.”

He expressed the confidence that innovative and radical arrangements would be made for intending pilgrims next year under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, Sardar Mohammed Yousaf called on Haj Minister Bandar Hajar at his office and expressed his gratitude to the Saudi government for excellent Haj arrangements.