ISLAMABAD:
The first post-Hajj flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims arrived at Islamabad International Airport on Saturday, marking the start of the return phase of this year’s Hajj operation, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
The inaugural return flight, PK-742, landed at Islamabad airport at 7:15 p.m., bringing back 165 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. The arrival of the flight officially launched the post-Hajj repatriation operation at Islamabad airport, where arrangements have been made to facilitate the return of pilgrims.
Airport officials, including the airport director, welcomed the pilgrims upon their arrival and extended greetings to them at the conclusion of their spiritual journey.
The PAA said the arrival of the first flight marks the start of a wider operation under which thousands of Pakistani pilgrims will return from the Kingdom over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the government has finalized arrangements for the return of around 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims, who performed Hajj under the government scheme.
The post-Hajj air operation for these pilgrims is expected to begin from Saudi Arabia on May 31 (today). According to authorities, the first return flight carrying 391 pilgrims will depart from Jeddah on the night of May 31 and arrive in Sialkot on the morning of June 1.
A total of 5,237 pilgrims will return to Pakistan on the first day of the operation. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalized all logistical and operational arrangements for the repatriation process which will last one month.
Officials said 22 flights would bring the pilgrims back to Pakistan on June 1, while 23 flights are planned on June 2. On the first day of the operation, five flights will land in Islamabad. Karachi and Lahore will receive four flights each, while Multan and Sialkot will receive three flights each.
Faisalabad will receive two flights and Quetta will receive one flight carrying the returning pilgrims. The pilgrims will be brought back from Medina and Jeddah, and the repatriation exercise will continue throughout June.
Officials said a total of 471 flights will be operated under the government’s Hajj program to bring pilgrims home. The operation will involve the Pakistani government and private airlines as well as Saudi carriers participating in the Hajj airlift programme.
The post-Hajj air operation is expected to end on June 30, when the last flight will arrive in Lahore, marking the completion of the return phase of this year’s Hajj operation.
