Post-Hajj flights commence today, bringing back 82,000 pilgrims

Karachi: Post-Hajj flight operation has been launched today, marking the beginning of a month-long effort to bring back 82,000 Pakistani pilgrims.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), in collaboration with Airblue, Serene Air, and Saudi Airlines, will ensure the smooth repatriation of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

As per the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony spokesperson, three flights are scheduled to depart from Jeddah today, carrying 693 pilgrims to Karachi, Faisalabad, and Islamabad.

The hajj flight operation from Jeddah will continue until the 20th of this month.

PIA's dedicated Hajj-return flights will commence today and run until the 2nd of August.

The first PIA return flight, bringing back pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, will arrive in Karachi tomorrow.

PIA's spokesperson stated that the inaugural Hajj-return flight, PK-832, departing from Jeddah, will touch down at Karachi Airport at 3:35 PM PST.

The first return flight to Islamabad Airport is expected to land at 3:30 PM, where Air Vice-Marshal Aamir Hayat will receive the returning pilgrims.

Likewise, the first return flight for Lahore Airport is set to arrive at 3:20 PM.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to repatriate 61,467 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan through 268 flights.

Out of these, 41,000 individuals traveled under the government scheme, while 19,000 were private pilgrims, as confirmed by the national airline's spokesperson.