LAHORE, Nov 25: The first PIA Haj flight from the city carrying 435 intending pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia from the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Saturday morning.

District Nazim Mian Amer Mehmood, Haj Lahore director Farogh-e-Aftab Zaidi and senior officials of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority saw off the pilgrims.

Speaking on the occasion, the Haj director lauded the district nazim’s efforts in obtaining seven kanals for Darul Hujjaj project which would be completed next year.

Mian Amer observed that it was a matter of great honour for him, since several years, to send off pilgrims and welcome them home on their return from the holy land.

As many as 32,000 pilgrims will leave from Lahore by 91 flights, with PIA airlifting 30,034 people while Saudi Airlines will fly the rest of the pilgrims. —APP