ISLAMABAD: More than 46,000 Pakistani pilgrims have returned from Saudi Arabia since August 17 after comply with their Hajj, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MRA) told Arab News on Monday.

“[The returnees include] 27,000 from the government quota and 19,000 who were using services offered by private tour and Hajj operators,” Imran Siddiqui, MRA spokesman said, adding that 74,000 others are still in Makkah.

Siddiqui added that special flights – which began on August 17 to bring the 200,000 pilgrims back – will continue until September 15.

“Elaborate arrangements have been made on Pakistan’s 10 airports to welcome the pilgrims on their return,” Siddiqui said, adding that this year, major airports in the country had also stocked up on Zamzam water – as part of an initiative by the Kingdom – to distribute among pilgrims upon their arrival home.

Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri lauded the Kingdom’s arrangements and hospitality extended to pilgrims during Hajj this year.

For the first time this year, a pre-immigration pilot program was launched at the Islamabad International Airport as part of Saudi’s Road to Makkah project which Pakistan had been included in on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had made the announcement during his historic visit to Islamabad in February this year.

The initiative was aimed at facilitating Hajj pilgrims by way of a faster immigration process which helped them save up to 10 hours of waiting time on their arrival in Saudi Arabia.