Madinah, (PR) : The arrival of Pakistani pilgrims in Madinah has officially begun as part of the 2025 Hajj operations. The first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, PK713, carrying over 390 pilgrims from Islamabad, landed in Madinah at 8 AM (Saudi time). According to sources, no representative from the Pakistan Hajj Directorate was present to receive the pilgrims, though staff from the Ministry of Religious Affairs welcomed those arriving on the second flight.
Another flight, PK721, operated by a private airline, brought 151 pilgrims to Madinah. They were received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro, and other Hajj mission officials.
A total of approximately 900 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to arrive in Madinah today via four flights.
During the initial 15 days of the Hajj operation, all flights from Pakistan will land in Madinah. Subsequent flights will be directed to Makkah. Under the government Hajj scheme, a total of 88,380 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year. The flight operation will continue until May 31.
PIA is set to operate 280 special flights to transport over 56,000 pilgrims, while private airlines will also participate in the operation.