PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: This year’s Hajj operation will officially kick off from Thursday, the Aviation Division announced on Monday as it released the final schedule for the annual undertaking.
The operation will see a total of 78,258 pilgrims perform Hajj this year, with roughly 50,000 availing the government scheme and around 20,000 opting for private operators, officials said.
Pakistan International Airlines will operate 294 flights in the first phase to take the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, with 208 landing at Jeddah and 86 at Madina. The PIA flights will begin from the Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Sukkur and Peshawar airports on Friday, according to the schedule.
The first phase, which will see pilgrims fly out, will conclude on August 5. Pilgrims will begin returning from August 17 and the entire operation will conclude on September 14.
Govt allocates additional Hajj quota to old operators
Under the schedule, 19,745 pilgrims will fly out of Islamabad on 46 flights, with another 15,562 flying out of Lahore on 51 flights. Some 13,171 pilgrims will fly out of Karachi on 62 flights and 10,446 will fly out of Peshawar on 29 flights.
Around 8,350 will fly out of Quetta on 56 flights and 5,077 will fly out of Multan on 21 flights. From Sukkur, 4,358 pilgrims will fly out on 12 flights and 1,549 will fly out of Faisalabad on 17 flights. Flights from Multan, Quetta and Faisalabad will begin from July 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Special feeder flights will be operated to take pilgrims from Rahim Yar Khan and Sukkur to Karachi.
According to PIA officials, pilgrims will receive special meals, five liter Aab-e-Zamzam bottles and free baggage allowance of up to 35kg. Welfare staff will receive a 10% discount.
Saudi officials tour Islamabad airport
Saudi immigration officials on Monday toured the New Islamabad international airport along with additional secretary aviation Abdul Sattar to examine the arrangements for the Road to Makkah project.
Under this project, 10 counters have been formed at the A2 lounge through which pilgrims leaving for Hajj under the government scheme will complete the immigration process.
According to sources, it was agreed between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman that Saudi immigration officials will carry out the immigration process for Pakistani pilgrims in Pakistan. (ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SALEH MUGHAL FROM ISLAMABAD)
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