ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Saudi officials accorded a warm welcome to 155 intending Pakistani pilgrims at the Madinah Airport on their arrival in the holy city on the inaugural Haj flight on Saturday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement.
In all, four flights, from Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Faisalabad, carrying intending pilgrims reached Madinah on the first day of Haj flight operations on Saturday. The first flight carrying Pakistani intending pilgrims from Karachi arrived in Madinah, where 155 pilgrims were warmly received. Director General Haj Jeddah, Abdul Wahab Soomro, Director Madinah Zahid Sohail, Coordinator Madinah Kashif Hussain and Director Makkah Muhammad Arif Aslam Rao welcomed the pilgrims upon arrival. Flowers were showered and gifts were presented, while traditional Saudi welcome songs accompanied by rhythmic beats of duff created a spiritual and memorable atmosphere. They were promptly accommodated in quality residences in the Markaziyah area, where special arrangements were made for their comfort and convenience. Additionally, Nusuk cards were issued immediately to facilitate smooth movement and ease in performing religious rituals.
As part of the hospitality arrangements, pilgrims were served refreshments including beverages and dates, along with a high-quality breakfast. Senior officials personally supervised the arrangements to ensure standards were maintained at every stage. According to officials, similar well-coordinated arrangements have been put in place for upcoming flights, with close coordination among all departments to ensure the best possible facilities for every arriving pilgrim.
Earlier, the inaugural Haj flight from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport was seen off by Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi and other notables. In case of the inaugural flight from Lahore, a dignified ceremony was held at the airport. The event was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Molana Tahir Ashrafi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed, Federal Secretary Abrar Mirza and other Pakistani and Saudi officials. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani sent off pilgrims at Multan airport.
The Road to Makkah project is already in place at Islamabad and Karachi airports and has now been extended to Lahore Airport. Under this project, all immigration, security and customs processes are completed by Saudi officials at Pakistan’s airports. Another Haj flight departing from Sialkot, carrying over 150 intending pilgrims, also arrived in Madinah on Saturday.
In all, over 119,000 intending Pakistani pilgrims under the government’s regular Haj scheme will reach Madinah for onward journey to Makkah and Madinah in pre-Haj flight operations, with 468 flights scheduled till May 21. There will be 186 flights for Madinah and 282 flights for Jeddah from eight Pakistani cities. Flight operations for Jeddah will start on May 4.
