Pre-Hajj operation commences today

KARACHI:

Ministry of Religious Affairs has said Hajj flight schedule from Pakistan will start from April 18 (tomorrow) and will continue till May 21.

Meanwhile A 40-member high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia has reached Karachi to oversee arrangements under the "Road to Makkah" project, aimed at facilitating Pakistani pilgrims.

Also, a high-level consultative meeting was held at the Directorate of Hajj in Madina to review arrangements for incoming Pakistani pilgrims following the arrival of an advance team of Khuddamul ahead of the commencement of Hajj operation.

According to officials, around 660 Pakistani pilgrims will reach Madina on April 18 through three flights, marking the formal start of this year's Hajj operation. More flights are scheduled to follow in subsequent days.

Officials said that over 179,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year under both government and private schemes. The first Hajj flight from Lahore is scheduled to depart on April 18.