KARACHI, Jan 29: The ongoing Haj operation is nearing completion with almost 80,000 Haj pilgrims having been flown to Saudi Arabia through 231 flights till Jan 28.

PIA had transported 52,400 intending pilgrims to the holy land till Jan 21. It operated 231 flights from five destinations since the start of Haj operation on Jan 5.

The pre-Haj operation will conclude on Feb 5 with the transportation of 1.10 million pilgrims.

PIA maintained 88 per cent punctuality in the Haj flights despite adverse weather conditions in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta

This year one aircraft was leased from Turkey which was operated on domestic route so as to facilitate the Haj operations.—APP