RAWALPINDI: The Pak­­istan Airports Autho­rity (PAA) has announced that Lahore’s Allama Iqb­al International Airport has been included in the Route to Makkah project for Haj 2026, enabling pre-clearance of immigration and customs for pilgrims.

Under the initiative, pilgrims will undergo biometric verification and passport clearance by Saudi officials at Lahore airport before departing for Saudi Arabia.

A PAA spokesperson said that, in this regard, a high-level coordination me­­eting was held at Alla­­ma Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, to review preparations for the commencement of Route to Makkah operations from Lahore for the first time.

The meeting was atten­ded by Mr Fuwaz Saud Al Shafiri, Saudi Director of Haj Operations, along with a secretary from the Saudi Embassy. They met with Airport Manager Erfan Khan and senior representatives of the PAA, Airp­o­­rt Security Force, Cust­o­­ms, Federal In­­vestigation Age­ncy, Anti-Narcotics Force, Ministry of Foreign Affa­irs, and other stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2026