KARACHI:With the annual Hajj pilgrimage season on the horizon, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has unveiled plans to facilitate the departure of pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia with flight operations set to span from May 9 to June 9.
During the initial 15 days, all flights are slated to touch down directly at Madinah Airport.
On the first day, a total of 2,160 pilgrims are poised to commence their spiritual journey, availing themselves of 11 designated flights.
From May 24 to June 9, the flights will shift to Jeddah Airport, facilitating onward journeys to the sacred sites.
The commencement day will witness 680 pilgrims departing from Islamabad across three flights, alongside 330 pilgrims from Karachi, distributed among two flights.
An additional 670 pilgrims will kick-start their pilgrimage from Lahore through three scheduled flights.
Similarly, flights from Multan and Sialkot will also take flight on the inaugural day, ensuring a comprehensive departure schedule.
To accommodate pilgrims from diverse regions, the ministry has outlined a phased departure plan. The first Hajj flight from Quetta is scheduled for May 11, with Sukkur to follow suit on May 27.
