RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched its post- Haj operation on Saturday as its first flight carrying 114 pilgrims landed in Islamabad from Saudi Arabia.

“PIA has launched its post-Haj operation from May 30,” the spokesman for the airline said in a statement and added: “The first flight PK- 742 carrying 114 passengers arrived in Islamabad from Jeddah.”

The first flight was received by Islamabad Airport Chief Operating Officer (COO)) Syed Aftab Gilani who garlanded the pilgrims at the airport. The COO was accompanied by senior officials from the Airport Security Force and PIA.

The spokesman said that the second Haj flight PK 732 departed from Jeddah and arrived in Lahore on Sunday.

Likewise, Karachi’s first Haj flight, PK 860, will depart from Jeddah on May 31 and arrive at 7:25p.m.

The PIA’s annual post Haj operation will continue from May 30 to June 30.

PIA will operate flights from Jeddah and Madinah to Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot and Quetta.

The PIA will operate a total of 213 flights in the post-Haj operation, through which more than 53,000 pilgrims will return home.

PIA has completed all measures to serve the pilgrims and the CEO PIA is personally supervising the operation.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026