First group of Hajj pilgrims returns home

The first post-Hajj flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims landed at Islamabad International Airport on Saturday, officially launching this year’s return operation for Hajj pilgrims, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority.

Flight PK-742 arrived from Saudi Arabia at 7:15 pm with 165 pilgrims on board. Its arrival marked the start of the post-Hajj repatriation process at Islamabad Airport, where special arrangements had been made to receive returning pilgrims.

Airport officials, including the airport manager, welcomed the pilgrims and congratulated them on completing their sacred journey.

The Pakistan Airports Authority stated that the first arrival signals the beginning of a large-scale operation that will bring thousands of Pakistani pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks.

Separately, the government has finalized plans for the return of nearly 119,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the government scheme. The repatriation operation began from Saudi Arabia on May 31.

According to officials, the first return flight carrying 391 pilgrims was scheduled to depart from Jeddah on the night of May 31 and arrive in Sialkot on the morning of June 1.

On the first day of the operation, 5,237 pilgrims are expected to return to Pakistan. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has completed all logistical preparations for the month-long repatriation programme.

Officials said 22 flights will arrive on June 1, followed by 23 flights on June 2. Islamabad will receive five flights on the first day, while Karachi and Lahore will each receive four. Three flights each will land in Multan and Sialkot, while Faisalabad will receive two and Quetta one.

Pilgrims will be flown back from both Madinah and Jeddah throughout June. In total, 471 flights will operate under the government Hajj scheme, involving Pakistani and Saudi airlines participating in the Hajj airlift programme.

The post-Hajj operation is scheduled to conclude on June 30, with the final flight arriving in Lahore, bringing this year’s repatriation process to an end.