KARACHI: Pakistan’s first post-Hajj flight carrying pilgrims back to the country is scheduled to arrive in the southern port city of Karachi on June 11, a letter issued by the religion ministry said this week.
Pakistan concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation last month, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Every year Pakistan arranges special Hajj flights to facilitate thousands of Pakistani Muslims traveling to the Kingdom for the pilgrimage and back. The operation involves both government and private schemes, as well as coordination with multiple airlines to ensure smooth transit.
“The first Hajj flight of Air Blue Airline, PA–1766, is scheduled to arrive at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, on 11th June 2025 at 13:35 hours from Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, carrying 148 Hujjaj,” a letter written addressed to the airport manager at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport by the religion ministry said.
The letter said Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, the provincial minister for Auqaf, will welcome the pilgrims upon their arrival at the airport.
“You are kindly requested to make the necessary arrangements in accordance with past practices and provide intimation to this Directorate accordingly,” the letter added.
As many as 88,260 Hajj pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia via the government scheme through 342 flights from various cities of Pakistan this year while over 27,000 arrived via private tour operators.
The Hajj flights were operated by a range of air carriers including Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, SereneAir, Airblue and AirSial.
