RAWALPINDI: The Haj operation for 2025 officially kicked off across the country on Tuesday, with the first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights leaving from six cities.

A spokesman said that PIA will transport approximately 35,200 Haj pilgrims to the holy land through more than 117 special flights.

In the first phase, special flights for pilgrims will depart for Madina, while in the second phase, the flights will go to Jeddah.

On Tuesday, PK-713 departed for Madina, with 442 pilgrims onboard, from the Islamabad International Airport.

Meanwhile, a PIA spokesman said the PK-747 left Lahore at 10pm, carrying 323 passengers.

From Quetta, PK-7201 took off at around 9:30am with 150 pilgrims on board, while PK-715 carrying 393 pilgrims departed from Multan around 8:15pm.

According to a press release, the first Haj flight from Karachi departed at 9:35pm, carrying 285 pilgrims.

The national flag carrier’s pre-Haj operation will continue till May 31, while the post-Haj operation will begin on June 10 and end on July 10, the spokesman said.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025