The Hajj flight operation has begun as first two Hajj flights from Islamabad and Lahore departed for Madinah on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf saw off the pilgrims at Islamabad Airport, where Ambassador of Saudi Arabia was also present. The first Hajj flight from Lahore departed for Madinah carrying 150 pilgrims at 8:30am. In this regard, a ceremony was held at Lahore Airport before the Hajj operation.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique garlanded the Hajj pilgrims and also cut a cake. Special gifts were also given to the Hajj pilgrims. Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated the Hajj pilgrims on their journey to the holy Hijaz and said that Allah Almighty has blessed the Hajj pilgrims with a holy journey to Madinah. Every Muslim desires to travel to Madinah and the Hajj pilgrims should definitely remember the people of the country in their prayers at the Holy Prophet (PBUH) mosque.

Today, the first Hajj flight PK-7201 will depart from Quetta at 10am carrying 170 pilgrims while the Hajj flight PK-747 from Lahore will depart for Madinah at10 pm carrying 323 passengers. PIA will transport approximately 35,200 official Hajj pilgrims to the Holy Hijaz through more than 117 special flights. In the first phase, special flights of pilgrims will depart from Pakistan for Medina, while in the second phase they will go to Jeddah.

PIA will operate direct Hajj flights from 6 major cities of Pakistan, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, and Quetta. Road to Mecca facilities will be available at Islamabad and Karachi airports in collaboration with the Saudi government. Hajj pilgrims will be taken to Saudi immigration through Pakistan through the Road to Mecca projects. PIA's pre-Hajj operations will continue till May 31. Post-Hajj operations will start from June 10 and will end on July 10.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)