https://arab.news/jjeuj
- Pakistan’s national airline operated over 154 return flights till August 13
- Over 83,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed the Hajj pilgrimage this year
ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said on Tuesday post-Hajj flight operations had been successfully concluded at airports in the Pakistani cities of Peshawar, Multan and Lahore.
Up to one million pilgrims from around the world performed the annual Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj, after Saudi Arabia lifted coronavirus restrictions for the first time in two years. Pilgrims were required to be vaccinated and under 65 years of age.
The kingdom allotted Pakistan a quota of 83,132 pilgrims this year, out of which 34,453 people availed the government’s Hajj scheme while over 48,000 performed Hajj through private operators.
Pakistan started its post-Hajj flight operations last month, with the first flight of the national carrier, PIA, arriving in Lahore from Jeddah with 213 passengers on July 14.
“After Lahore, post Hajj operations were also completed at Peshawar and Multan airports,” the PCAA spokesman said. “The post Hajj operation at Peshawar Airport started on July 14 and ended on August 13.”
From Peshawar airport, a total of 3,276 pilgrims had gone for Hajj through 40 flights.
“Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport welcomed 3830 pilgrims who returned home in 62 flights,” the spokesperson said.
The post-Hajj operation at Multan International Airport ran from July 15 to August 13.
“A total of 39 flights were operated from Multan Airport through which 4,586 pilgrims traveled,” the spokesman said. “2,345 pilgrims returned home through 31 scheduled flights.”