Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started its flight operation to bring pilgrims from Saudi Arabia back to Pakistan as the first flight PK-762 reached Islamabad from Jeddah early Sunday morning.
As many as 693 pilgrims are due to return to Pakistan onboard first three PIA flights, which after Islamabad will land at Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar airports later today.
PK-760 will reach Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport at 3:20 pm; PK-832 will reach Karachi Airport at 3:35 pm, while PK-740 will reach Peshawar from Jeddah at 6:35 in the evening.
The airline’s flight operation from Jeddah will continue until July 20, while pilgrims will start
Makkah for Madinah from July 5. As many as 38,000 pilgrims will travel to Madinah.
The last Hajj flight from Madinah will reach Pakistan on August 2. The ratio of national flag carrier’s timely departure of flights has been 94 percent, which has been acknowledged.
PIA has made special arrangements for the return of Pakistani pilgrims at its Jeddah Hajj Terminal. Similarly, arrangements are complete for giving a warm reception to pilgrims on their arrival at Pakistani airports. It is pertinent to mention that Saudi Arabia’s Agency of the General Presidency of the Prophet’s Mosque has significantly increased its field operations to cater to pilgrims who have arrived in Madinah after completing their Hajj rituals in Makkah.
According to the agency, the Suqya Administration is concentrating on serving visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque. As part of these efforts, over 80,000 bottles of Zamzam water are being distributed among visitors and worshippers at the holy sites, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Additionally, more than 15,000 containers for Zamzam water have been installed to facilitate its distribution.
Furthermore, the Suqya Administration is actively involved in preparing drinking fountains within the courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque, it stated.
