MADINAH AL-MUNAWARAH, Monday, April 28, 2025 (WNP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has finalized all preparations for a smooth and well-organized Hajj operation, ensuring a warm reception for Pakistani pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia. The month-long pre-Hajj flight operation will officially commence on Tuesday, April 29.

Director Hajj Madinah Ziaur Rehman said on Monday that the operation to airlift pilgrims to the Kingdom would span 33 days. Under the government Hajj scheme, approximately 89,000 pilgrims will be transported to the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah through a total of 342 flights. The final Hajj flight from Pakistan is scheduled to depart on May 31.

“This is one of the ministry’s largest annual operations, both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” Rehman said, adding that comprehensive efforts are underway to ensure a seamless experience for the pilgrims.

During the first 15 days of the operation, pilgrims will be flown initially to Madinah. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Serene Air, Airblue, Air Sial, and Saudi Arabian Airlines have been tasked with carrying pilgrims to the Kingdom, he added.

Marking the launch of the operation, six flights carrying around 1,700 pilgrims are set to arrive in Madinah on Tuesday from five major Pakistani cities. Flights will depart from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Quetta, and will land at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, marking the beginning of a significant influx of pilgrims from Pakistan and around the world.

Providing further details, Rehman said two flights will depart from Lahore, and one each from Islamabad, Quetta, Multan, and Karachi on April 29.

The schedule for Tuesday’s flights is as follows:
– Islamabad: PIA flight PK-713 will depart at 4:45 AM, carrying 393 pilgrims.
– Lahore: Air Sial flight PF-7700 will depart at 8:30 AM with 150 pilgrims, followed by PIA flight PK-747 at 10:15 PM with 329 pilgrims.
– Quetta: PIA flight PK-7201 will depart at 9:30 AM carrying 150 pilgrims.
– Multan: PIA flight PK-715 will leave at 8:15 PM with 393 pilgrims.
– Karachi: Serene Air flight ER-1611 will depart at 9:30 PM, transporting 285 pilgrims.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is an obligatory religious duty for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime.