More flights depart as Hajj op expands

Pakistan's Hajj operation continued to expand across the country on Sunday as more flights carrying intending pilgrims departed from multiple cities. The first group of pilgrims also successfully arrived in Madina under improved arrangements introduced this year. The ongoing pre-Hajj flight operation, which began a day earlier, has now gained full momentum with departures from Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad, in addition to earlier flights from Karachi, Lahore and Multan. In Islamabad, the first Hajj flight under the Road to Makkah initiative departed for Madina carrying 270 pilgrims. The Saudi Airlines flight marked the official launch of Hajj 2026 operations from the federal capital. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, along with Saudi and Pakistani officials, attended the ceremony. Addressing the gathering, the minister termed the Road to Makkah project a "revolutionary facility." The facility, he said, allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration procedures at Pakistani airports, enabling them to proceed directly to their accommodations upon arrival. "Nearly 95,800 Pakistani pilgrims—about 80% of the total—would benefit from it this year," he said. He also highlighted additional measures introduced on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including appointing coordinators for every 188 pilgrims, providing free SIM cards, and arranging transport such as the Haramain High-Speed Railway for selected pilgrims between Makkah and Madina. In Sialkot, two flights carrying 545 pilgrims departed for Madina from Sialkot International Airport. The flights, operated by AirSial and Pakistan International Airlines, marked the formal start of Hajj operations from the city. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attended the send-off ceremony and urged pilgrims to observe discipline, follow Saudi laws and pray for Pakistan's progress and prosperity. Officials in Sialkot said that a total of 26 flights would transport around 5,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. They added that accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madina had been finalised to ensure a comfortable stay for the pilgrims. In Faisalabad, the first Hajj flight carrying 158 pilgrims departed for Madina from the international airport amid an emotional send-off ceremony. Officials said a total of 3,651 pilgrims would travel through 23 flights from the city this year. As flights continued to depart, the first group of 1,357 Pakistani pilgrims arrived at Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madina, where senior officials of the Pakistan Hajj mission received them. The pilgrims were transported to accommodations in the Markaziyah area, where rooms had already been allocated to ensure a smooth check-in. Officials said Nusuk cards, required for access to key religious sites, were issued upon arrival, and a welcome meal was also arranged.