Post-Hajj flight operations begin as Pakistan receives excellence award
Pakistan’s post-Hajj flight operations commenced on May 30, with the first PIA flight carrying pilgrims from Jeddah landing in Islamabad. The operation to repatriate Pakistani pilgrims is scheduled to continue until June 30.
PIA will operate 213 flights to bring back more than 53,000 pilgrims from Jeddah and Madinah to seven cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta. In total, 119,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the government scheme will return on 471 flights operated by Pakistani and Saudi airlines.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has awarded the Pakistan Hajj Mission an “Excellency Award” in recognition of its exemplary and well-coordinated arrangements for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season.
A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, received the award at the “Khitamuhu Misk” conference in Makkah, which marked the successful conclusion of the Hajj season.
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Updated: 11:12 AM PKT — May 31, 2026
The post-Hajj return of Pakistani pilgrims has officially commenced with the arrival of the first flight, PK-742, carrying 114 pilgrims from Jeddah to Islamabad International Airport. The returning pilgrims were given a warm welcome by the airport’s Chief Operating Officer, Aftab Gilani, along with senior officials from the Airport Security Force and the national airline.
Following the arrival in the capital, the second post-Hajj flight is scheduled to depart from Jeddah for Lahore, while the first special flight for Karachi-based pilgrims is expected to land later today. The national carrier has affirmed that all arrangements are in place for the smooth repatriation of pilgrims, with the entire operation being monitored at a high level.
