RAWALPINDI: The post-Haj operation has formally commenced with two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights arriving in the federal capital and two others landing in Karachi and Lahore on Wednesday.

Two PIA flights arrived in the federal capital, one in Karachi, and another in Lahore as a total of 950 pilgrims returned home on the first day on four flights. The nationwide return phase for Haj 2025 began at 3:12am as PIA flight PK-732, carrying 340 pilgrims from Jeddah, safely touched down at Islamabad International Airport.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry personally welcomed the returning pilgrims at the airport. Alongside him were senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including director and additional director of Haj as well as Airport Manager Syed Aftab Gilani.

The airline’s spokesman said PIA’s post-Haj operations from Jeddah started on Wednesday with PIA’s first Haj flight PK-936 carrying 328 pilgrims arriving at Lahore airport at 2:45pm on Wednesday.

At Lahore Airport, PIA District Manager Agha Zaheeruddin, Station Manager Ashfaq Awan, airport manager, chief security officer and PIA officials welcomed the pilgrims. On the first day of the post-Haj operation, four flights departed from Jeddah for various cities in Pakistan, the spokesman added.

Chief Executive Officer PIA Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat is directly supervising the operation, the spokesman said, adding that PIA’s post-Haj operation will continue till July 10.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025