Pakistan officially launched its Hajj flight operations for 2025 on Tuesday, with the first group of 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad to Madinah under the Saudi Arabia-led Makkah Route Initiative. The 33-day Hajj operation will transport over 89,000 pilgrims under the government scheme, utilizing a total of 342 scheduled flights. The final flight is expected to depart on May 31.
The inaugural flight, PIA PK-713, took off from Islamabad International Airport at 4:45 am, followed by AirSial flight PF-7700, which departed from Lahore at 8:00 am carrying 150 pilgrims. In total, six flights are scheduled to depart on Tuesday, covering major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Multan.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, addressed the departing pilgrims, urging them to adhere to Saudi laws and traditions. He described them as “guests of Allah and ambassadors of Pakistan,” and announced his intention to visit Saudi Arabia to personally monitor the Hajj arrangements. The minister also pledged full government support for the pilgrims throughout the journey.
Yousaf extended his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their ongoing support and facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims. He further noted
