Operation for 2025 commences: First Hajj flight departs from Islamabad
KARACHI: Pakistan's Hajj operation for 2025 officially commenced as the first flight carrying pilgrims departed from Islamabad International Airport to Madinah early Tuesday morning.
The PIA Flight PK-713 took off at 4:45 AM with 442 pilgrims on board, marking the beginning of this year's Hajj pilgrimage operations.
The pilgrims were seen off by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousuf, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, who presented special gifts to the departing pilgrims.
Later, the first Hajj flight from Quetta, PK-7201 also departed at 10:00 AM carrying 170 pilgrims. Meanwhile, Lahore's first Hajj flight, PK-747, took off at 10:00 PM with 323 passengers bound for Madinah.
PIA spokesman said that PIA would transport approximately 35,200 government-quota pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through more than 117 special flights. In the initial phase, special flights will carry pilgrims from Pakistan to Madinah, while in the second phase flights will be directed to Jeddah.
'The national carrier will operate direct Hajj flights from six major Pakistani cities: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, and Quetta,' PIA spokesman said.
At Islamabad and Karachi airports, 'Road to Makkah' facilities have been established in collaboration with the Saudi government, allowing pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration procedures before leaving Pakistan.
PIA's pre-Hajj operation will continue until May 31, while the post-Hajj operation will begin on June 10 and conclude on July 10, 2025.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistani pilgrims laud Saudi Arabia for ‘impressive' Hajj arrangements
Over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia this year to perform the annual pilgrimage. Photo Courtesy: Harmain Listen to article Pakistani pilgrims on Saturday lauded the Saudi government for its 'impressive' arrangements during this year's Hajj, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said, as Muslims across Pakistan and the world celebrated Eid al-Adha. Over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia this year under government and private schemes to perform the annual pilgrimage. 'I had a very good Hajj experience,' said Nadia Sarfaraz, a pilgrim from Karachi. 'Everything went smoothly and we have no complaints against anyone. The Saudi government is providing support here and our own government is helping a lot too.' To Arafat! Labbaik Allahuma Labbaik! — Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 5, 2025 Rabia Babar, a pilgrim from Islamabad, praised the facilitation of pilgrims, particularly women, highlighting the separate lifts and fully carpeted areas in Muzdalifah, where pilgrims spend the night. This year's Hajj saw heightened security and measures to combat illicit pilgrims, along with various heat mitigation efforts that resulted in smaller crowds at the holy sites in Makkah and surrounding areas. 'There were coolers and drinking water available everywhere,' Babar said. 'They had large refrigerators and provided water bottles and even shower facilities.' Faraz Latif, a pilgrim from Quetta, commended both the Pakistani and Saudi governments for the arrangements, urging fellow pilgrims to maintain cleanliness and embrace patience during and beyond Hajj. His Highness The Emir of Madinah performs Eid Al Adha prayers in Masjid Al Nabawi. — Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 6, 2025 'It will help you not just during Hajj but throughout your life,' he said. The first Pakistani flight carrying Hajj pilgrims back home is scheduled to arrive in Karachi on June 11.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
PM, Field Marshal perform Umrah
JEDDAH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir have performed Umrah along with members of the Pakistani delegation during their ongoing official visit to Saudi Arabia. During the Umrah pilgrimage, special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, the unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for the oppressed people of Gaza. Upon arrival in Jeddah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by Prince Saud bin Abdullah Al Jiluwi, Governor of Jeddah; Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan; Ahmed Farooq, Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; and other diplomatic officials. The Prime Minister's visit is scheduled for June 5 and 6, and he is spending Eid-ul-Azha in Saudi Arabia. A special meeting will be held between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During the meeting, both leaders will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas including trade and investment, welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and regional peace and security. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also thank the Saudi leadership for their constructive role in easing the recent Pakistan-India tensions.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in Hajj apex
MOUNT ARAFAT: Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colourful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Quran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Hajj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil'. Million-plus pilgrims to begin Hajj under blazing sun 'This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Hajj and I always thought: 'I wish I could be here',' said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. 'I've been trying to get here… for the past 3 years,' he added as he gazed at the mount. 'I feel very blessed.' Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest. Fans spraying mist and providing cool air were dispersed at the foot of the mount. Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week. Pilgrims come together in Makkah under scorching desert heat Officials have beefed up heat mitigation efforts aiming to avoid a repeat of last year's Hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8C. 'I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent,' said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria. To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the Hajj minister has told AFP. Through tears of joy, Iman Abdel Khaleq said she had wanted to perform the Hajj for 10 years and was overwhelmed with emotion as she arrived at Arafat. 'It's a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realising,' the woman in her fifties told AFP from the foot of the mount. Authorities said a majority of the deaths in 2024 were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have also cracked down on unregistered pilgrims looking to sneak into Makkah, relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery. Saudi hosts urge pilgrims to stay indoors during Day of Arafat But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the Hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
