ISLAMABAD: Over 158,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, the religious affairs ministry said on Thursday, with the last pre-Hajj flight from Pakistan to depart for the Kingdom today.
Pakistan launched its pre-Hajj flight operation to send over 179,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on Apr. 18. Pakistan has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims, with around 119,000 pilgrims expected to travel under the government scheme and the rest via private tour operators.
The pre-Hajj flight operation is expected to end today, Thursday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement. A total of 3,296 pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia via 12 flights from various cities in Pakistan, it added.
“The last Hajj flight from Lahore, PK-741, will depart at 10:30 p.m. carrying 290 passengers,” MoRA said.
It said that by last night, 114,078 Pakistani pilgrims had already reached Saudi Arabia under the government scheme, while 44,`46 pilgirms are in the Kingdom through private tour operators.
It said the final group of 457 pilgrims currently in Madinah will travel to Makkah today.
“Hajj flight returns from Jeddah will begin on May 31,” the ministry said.
MoRA said the government has taken action upon complaints of overcharging in Hajj expenses by pilgrims, saying it had refunded SAR73,255.
Thousands of Pakistani pilgrims have also departed to the Kingdom this year under the Makkah Route Initiative. The initiative enables pilgrims to undergo immigration and customs clearance in Pakistan, allowing them to bypass lengthy procedures upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and travel directly to their accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.
