ISLAMABAD: Public trust in the Government Hajj Scheme has reached new heights due to some outstanding arrangements made for intending Pakistani pilgrims during the ongoing Hajj operation in Makkah and Madinah.
Over 32,000 intending Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia during the first phase of Hajj flight operations to Madinah. Simultaneously, the Hajj flights operation to Jeddah from various airports in Pakistan also started on Monday. After completing their stay in Madinah, pilgrims have begun moving towards Makkah. At present, approximately 15,000 Pakistani pilgrims are in Madinah, while around 17,000 have already reached Makkah. Direct arrivals to Jeddah began on Monday, which will further accelerate the inflow of pilgrims into the Kingdom’s Hajj zones.
Pakistan’s Hajj 2026 operations in Saudi Arabia continue to receive widespread praise, with pilgrims expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pakistan Hajj Mission. This year, 118,925 Pakistani pilgrims are performing Hajj, including 51,771 women and 67,154 men. The journey for most pilgrims began in Madinah, where accommodation inside the Markazia area has brought exceptional joy.
Being housed just few minutes away from Masjid-e-Nabawi has allowed pilgrims to spend more time in prayer and devotion, and many have shared video messages appreciating the spiritual comfort and convenience of staying so close to the Prophet’s Mosque. In Makkah, the Pakistan Hajj Mission has opened 85 residential buildings across 12 sectors, ensuring that pilgrims are settled quickly and comfortably. The largest clusters are housed in Sectors 1 and 10, accommodating 14,129 and 14,278 pilgrims respectively.
Transport operations towards the Haram are running smoothly. As of the latest update, 15,618 Pakistani pilgrims are moving towards the Haram through the two active shuttle drop points, Kidana and Kudai. Of these, 9,385 pilgrims are using Kidana, while 6,233 are routed through Kudai. A fleet of 104 buses and coaches — 60 assigned to Kidana and 44 to Kudai— is facilitating these movements, with an overall utilization rate of 13.13%, indicating substantial spare capacity as arrivals continue.
Inside Makkah, a balanced mix of shuttle services and rail movement is ensuring faster mobility and reduced congestion. Welfare teams, medical staff, and facilitation officers remain active around the clock, assisting pilgrims in buildings, hospitals, transport hubs, and the Haram area.
Following the enormous success of the 2025 Hajj operation, the government received over 450,000 applications for Hajj 2026 — one of the highest in Pakistan’s history. It may be recalled that Director General Abdul Wahab Soomro stood first among the eight shortlisted Hajj Mission heads from all countries and received the Excellence Award from the government of Saudi Arabia in Hajj 2025. The Pakistan Hajj Mission has introduced major improvements in planning, digital coordination, accommodation contracting, transport management, and Mashair services. The Mission’s performance in 2025 and 2026 has been widely acknowledged by both Pakistani pilgrims and Saudi authorities.
With strong coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Office of Pilgrim Affairs and Saudi institutions, Pakistan’s Hajj 2026 operation is being described as one of the most organized, safe, and pilgrim-friendly in recent years.
