ISLAMABAD: The process of repatriating Pakistani pilgrims who performed Hajj has officially begun, with the first flight arriving in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The inaugural post-Hajj flight, PK 742, landed at Islamabad International Airport carrying 114 passengers from Jeddah. Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad International Airport, Aftab Gilani, personally welcomed the returning pilgrims. Senior officials of the Airport Security Force and PIA were also present on the occasion to greet the arriving passengers.
According to PIA officials, the second Hajj flight, PK 732, will depart from Jeddah and reach Lahore. Meanwhile, the first Hajj flight from Karachi, PK 860, will leave Jeddah today and arrive at 7:25 pm.
A PIA spokesperson stated that the national airline’s post-Hajj operation will continue from May 30 to June 30. During this period, PIA will operate flights from Jeddah and Medina to seven Pakistani cities: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Quetta.
The spokesperson added that PIA will operate a total of 213 flights during the post-Hajj operation, through which more than 53,000 pilgrims will be transported back to their hometowns across Pakistan.
PIA has completed all necessary arrangements to ensure maximum comfort and convenience for returning pilgrims. The entire operation is being closely supervised by the CEO of PIA to ensure smooth and efficient execution.
