ISLAMABAD: More than 12,000 Pakistani pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia in the first three days of post-Hajj flight operations, while over 100,000 government-sponsored pilgrims remain in the kingdom as authorities continue one of the country’s largest annual overseas repatriation efforts, officials said on Wednesday.
Pakistan launched its post-Hajj flight operation on May 31 to bring home tens of thousands of pilgrims who performed this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The operation is scheduled to continue through June 30.
“12,157 pilgrims have returned home from Makkah during the last three days,” a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a Hajj update issued from Madinah.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the five pillars of Islam and draws millions of Muslims from around the world. Pakistan is among the countries that send the largest contingents of pilgrims each year, making Hajj management one of the biggest logistical operations undertaken by the government.
The ministry said 5,832 Pakistani pilgrims had so far arrived in Madinah, where many pilgrims traditionally travel after completing Hajj rites in Makkah to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other Islamic sites.
More than 71,000 government-sponsored Pakistani pilgrims are expected to travel to Madinah in phases in the coming weeks.
“Pakistani pilgrims will visit Roza-e-Rasool, offer prayers in Riyaz-ul-Jannah and undertake other religious visits,” the spokesperson said.
The ministry said the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Madinah was fully prepared to host arriving pilgrims and facilitate their stay before they return home.
Pakistan arranged Hajj for nearly 179,000 pilgrims this year, including around 119,000 under the government scheme and approximately 60,000 through private tour operators.
Officials have said post-Hajj flights will continue until June 30 as authorities work to ensure the smooth return of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.
