ISLAMABAD: A 45-member Saudi delegation arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to review arrangements for the Makkah Route Initiative, the religion ministry said, as Pakistan gears up for Hajj 2025.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers.
The annual pilgrimage is expected to take place in June, with nearly 90,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme while 23,620 Pakistanis will perform Hajj through private tour operators this year.
“A 45-member delegation has arrived in Pakistan to review arrangements for the Road to Makkah project,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
Saudi immigration officials, designated for Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, were warmly welcomed by the airport management team upon arrival in the southern port city, the Pakistan Airports Authority said.
“Under the Road to Makkah initiative, the Saudi immigration team will carry out Saudi immigration clearance for Hajj pilgrims at eight dedicated counters at Jinnah International Airport, starting 29 April, coinciding with the departure of first Hajj flight from Karachi,” it said in a statement.
“This initiative will streamline the pilgrims’ entry process into Saudi Arabia by completing immigration formalities before departure from Pakistan.”
Under the Road to Makkah project, immigration for Pakistani pilgrims will be completed in Pakistan instead of Saudi Arabia.
Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Route Initiative, according to the Pakistani religion ministry. Of these, 28,000 pilgrims will depart for the Kingdom from Islamabad while the remaining 22,500 will leave from the southern port city of Karachi.
“A total of 100 flights from Islamabad and 80 flights from Karachi will operate under the Road to Makkah project,” the statement said.
Pakistan will launch Hajj flight operations on Apr. 29, with the first flight departing from the eastern city of Lahore.
While a precise number of pilgrims for Hajj 2025 is difficult to determine in advance, projections suggest it will be a record-breaking year, with over 2.5 million pilgrims expected.
Saudi delegation arrives in Pakistan to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements
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Saudi delegation arrives in Pakistan to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements
- Makkah Route Initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration processes at departure airports
- A total of 100 flights from Islamabad, 80 flights from Karachi will operate under the initiative
Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore
- Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
- Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft.
A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.
However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination.
“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement.
It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added.
“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said.
It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.
