Thousands of Pakistani pilgrims have begun returning home from Saudi Arabia as the country’s post-Hajj flight operation officially gets underway.
The first flights carrying Hajj pilgrims landed in Karachi and Sialkot, where returning worshippers received warm welcomes from government officials, airport authorities and airline representatives.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) welcomed its first post-Hajj flight to Karachi after more than 100 pilgrims arrived from Jeddah on flight PK860.
The flight was received by PIA District Manager Umar Khan and other officials, who welcomed the pilgrims with garlands upon their arrival.
According to PIA spokesperson Sameer Nizami, the airline’s post-Hajj operation will continue until June 30.
PIA to operate 200 post-Hajj flights
PIA has announced plans to operate a total of 200 flights during the post-Hajj operation. Through these flights, more than 53,000 Pakistani pilgrims will be transported back from Saudi Arabia to their hometowns.
The airline will operate flights from both Jeddah and Madinah to major cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot and Quetta.
Nizami said all arrangements for serving pilgrims have been completed and that PIA chief executive officer is personally supervising the operation.
Govt Hajj scheme pilgrims return to Karachi
The return of pilgrims under the government Hajj scheme also began on Monday. Hajj Director Karachi Imtiaz Shah said the first flight under the government scheme was scheduled to arrive in Karachi from Saudi Arabia at around noon.
A private airline flight carrying 160 government scheme pilgrims was expected to land at Karachi Airport. According to officials, flight PF723 was scheduled to arrive at Jinnah Terminal at 12:05pm.
Provincial Minister for Auqaf Riaz Shirazi and Minister of State Khel Das Kohistani were set to welcome the returning pilgrims upon arrival.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Airports Authority completed all necessary arrangements at Karachi Airport to facilitate the smooth arrival and processing of Hajj passengers.
First Hajj flight lands in Sialkot
The process of bringing pilgrims back to Pakistan also began in Sialkot.
According to an airport spokesperson, the first post-Hajj flight, PF717, arrived from Jeddah carrying 158 pilgrims to Sialkot International Airport.
Minister of State for Planning and Special Initiatives Armaghan Subhani welcomed the pilgrims upon their arrival.
Calling the opportunity a blessing, Subhani said welcoming pilgrims was an honor and praised the government for taking effective measures to facilitate Hajj pilgrims.
The post-Hajj operation in Sialkot will continue with both national and private airlines participating in the effort. Officials said a total of 708 pilgrims would return to Sialkot on Monday through three flights: PF717, PF721 and PK761.
Airport authorities stated that more than 5,000 pilgrims would be brought back from the Holy Hijaz through a series of flights during the operation.
According to airport officials, over 5,000 Hajj pilgrims will return through more than 20 post-Hajj flights operated from Saudi Arabia.
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