National ( The cow news digital ) The process of bringing Pakistani pilgrims back home after performing Hajj has officially begun, with the first post-Hajj flight arriving in Islamabad from Jeddah, marking the start of the national repatriation operation.
According to details, Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-742 landed at Islamabad International Airport carrying 114 pilgrims who had completed their religious journey in Saudi Arabia. The returning pilgrims were warmly received by airport authorities, including Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad Airport Aftab Gilani, along with senior officials from the Airport Security Force and the national carrier.
The atmosphere at the airport was emotional as families and officials welcomed the pilgrims after their spiritual journey. Authorities ensured smooth processing and facilitated the arrivals with special arrangements for their comfort and assistance.
Following the first arrival, additional flights are scheduled under the post-Hajj operation. Another flight, PK-732 from Jeddah, is set to land in Lahore, while Karachi’s first Hajj flight, PK-860, is also expected to depart from Jeddah and arrive later in the evening.
According to the official spokesperson, Pakistan International Airlines’ post-Hajj operation will continue from May 30 to June 30. During this period, the national carrier will operate flights from Jeddah and Madinah to multiple cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Quetta.
In total, PIA is expected to operate 213 flights during the post-Hajj phase, facilitating the return of more than 53,000 pilgrims to their respective cities. The airline has stated that all necessary arrangements have been completed to ensure the safe, comfortable, and efficient transportation of Hajj pilgrims.
Officials further confirmed that the entire operation is being closely monitored by the Chief Executive Officer of PIA to maintain service standards and ensure timely flight operations.
The return of pilgrims marks a significant logistical undertaking for the national carrier, which annually manages one of the largest passenger movements of the year during the Hajj season.
