KARACHI: Pakistan reviewed preparations to launch the Makkah Route Initiative from Lahore for the first time, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) said in a statement on Thursday, expanding a Saudi-backed scheme that allows Hajj pilgrims to complete immigration formalities before departure and streamlining their arrival in the Kingdom.
The development marks a practical step ahead of this year’s pilgrimage, with Lahore joining Islamabad and Karachi in the initiative as Pakistan prepares to send over 179,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, with the first Hajj flight scheduled to depart on April 18.
A high-level coordination meeting at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport brought together Saudi and Pakistani officials, including representatives from immigration, customs and security agencies to finalize operational arrangements.
“Participants emphasized enhanced inter-agency coordination to ensure seamless processing of Hajj pilgrims at all stages,” the PAA said in the statement.
“Detailed discussions were held on infrastructure arrangements, including dedicated counters and holding areas for Route to Makkah passengers, adequate seating capacity, improved queue management systems, and clear signage across the terminal,” it added.
The Makkah Route Initiative enables pilgrims to undergo immigration and customs clearance in Pakistan, allowing them to bypass lengthy procedures upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and travel directly to their accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.
Officials say the initiative is aimed at reducing congestion at Saudi airports and improving the overall pilgrimage experience.
The meeting concluded with officials reaffirming their commitment to a smooth and passenger-friendly rollout of the initiative from Lahore, with a focus on efficient passenger flow and minimizing delays during peak Hajj operations.
