PIA announces completion of pre-Hajj operation

Managing director of PIA says special arrangements have been made for the pilgrims' return.

ISLAMABAD: The managing director of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Nadeem Khan Yousufzai said on Tuesday that the pre-Hajj operation has concluded and special arrangements have been made for the pilgrims' return.

Yousufzai said this while talking to the media after attending a ceremony that marked the training completion of 105 air-hostesses.

The Hajj operation has also completed in Peshawar where 28,000 pilgrims have left for pilgrimage.

The pilgrims' return will be between November 8 to December 8 this year.

Earlier this year, PIA said it will operate 78 pre-Hajj flights from Quetta carrying 15,190 pilgrims, 66 flights from Peshawar carrying 19,100 pilgrims, 46 flights each from Islamabad and Lahore will carry about 21,810 pilgrims.

It also said it will operate 38 flights from Karachi carrying 16,722 pilgrims. While, from Sialkot and Multan PIA will operate 7 and 24 flights respectively, carrying over 3,320 from Sialkot and over 11,378 pilgrims from Multan.

A PIA spokesperson said that for pilgrims comfort, an integrated Hajj operation has been chalked out in close coordination with Saudi Agencies as well as Pakistani authorities such as Civil Aviation Authority, Airport Security Force, Anti Narcotics Force, Customs and Immigration.