The Ministry of Religious Affairs resumed the Hajj operation after the announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and the reopening of Pakistan airspace, Express News reported.
Last night, following Indian missile attacks against three Air Force Pakistan bases by India, which were intercepted by the country’s air defense systems, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) had imposed an air emergency across the country and suspended all flight operations.
However, following a major department with India, Pakistan reopened its airspace to all civil and commercial flights. The ceasefire restores normal flight operations at the country’s airports, reporting a return to stability after a period of disruption.
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According to sources from the ministry, a Hajj flight is expected to leave later tonight, marking the official resumption of operations that have been temporarily suspended due to increased tensions between Pakistan and India.
Earlier in the day, three HAJJ flights were canceled in the middle of the security situation, bearing the total number of flights suspended at ten since the start of climbing. The disturbance affected 2,290 pilgrims who could not go to Saudi Arabia on time.
Suspended flights included seven operated by Saudi Airlines and three by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the ministry said.
Pakistan has opened its airspace as a complete and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan was reached after days of increased military exchanges between the two neighbors in South Nuclear.
The announcement was made for the first time by American president Donald Trump on Saturday and later confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, DPM Ishaq Dar, Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Find out more: Pakistan and India accept the immediate ceasefire
In a press release, the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that 1,100 of the affected pilgrims had already been sent to Saudi Arabia on special PIA flights, while arrangements are in place to transport the 1,190 others in the coming days.
“Pakistan airspace has been fully restored for all types of flights. Hajj’s operations will now continue according to the initial calendar,” said the ministry.
The canceled flights included three from Lahore, two from Islamabad, and one from Karachi and Multan.
In total, 1,277 pilgrims were transported by transport via special flights and the remaining 1,013 will be sent shortly, have added officials. Until now, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims have successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
The ministry advised all pilgrims to stay in touch with their respective Hajj camps for flight updates and additional assistance.
