Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced that its pre-Haj operation will formally commence on April 19, during which more than 55,000 pilgrims will be transported to the Holy Land through 191 flights from across Pakistan.

A PIA spokesperson said that under the government scheme, 49,000 pilgrims will travel, while over 6,000 pilgrims through private Haj group operators will also be facilitated via PIA flights.

He also noted that the first flight of the Haj operation, PK-747, will depart from Sialkot for Madinah on April 19 at 1:55am, carrying over 390 pilgrims.

Under the pre-Haj operation, PIA will transport over 15,400 pilgrims from Islamabad to Saudi Arabia through 46 flights.

From Karachi, over 15,000 pilgrims will be flown through 55 flights; from Lahore, 12,377 pilgrims through 34 flights; from Faisalabad, 3,680 pilgrims through 23 flights; from Multan, 5,383 pilgrims through 13 flights; from Sialkot, 2,075 pilgrims through five flights; and from Quetta, 4,487 pilgrims through 15 pre-Haj flights.

The first Haj flight from Quetta will depart on April 21 at 5:45 am with over 300 pilgrims.

The first flight from Karachi, PK-743, will depart on April 23 at 07:15 am with 391 pilgrims. Meanwhile, the first pre-Haj flight from Lahore will depart on April 24 at 10:20pm with over 300 pilgrims, a spokesperson added.

Airline teams at airports, as well as PIA offices in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, will provide guidance and assistance to pilgrims.

The PIA pre-Haj operation will conclude on May 21, the spokesperson added.

He further said that all necessary arrangements for facilitating pilgrims have been completed, and the CEO of PIA has instructed all teams that no negligence will be tolerated in the provision of services to the pilgrims.

AirSial operates first Haj flight

AirSial has also announced the commencement of its Haj operations, with the first Haj flight departing from Karachi carrying 160 pilgrims, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).

The AirSial flight PF-7700 departed early in the morning at 2:05am.

Under the “Route to Makkah” facility, modern immigration services are being provided to pilgrims to facilitate smooth travel procedures.

Governor Sindh Nihal Hashmi and relevant federal and provincial ministers attended the inaugural ceremony of the first Haj flight and reviewed the arrangements made for pilgrims, according to PAA.

Officials also visited the Saudi immigration counters and appreciated the facilities being provided under the initiative.