ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finalized arrangements for this year’s Hajj and the first flight will leave the country for Saudi Arabia on April 18, the Pakistani religious affairs minister said on Sunday, adding they will provide 25,000 pilgrims the high-speed Haramain train service for travel between Makkah and Madinah.
According to the religious affairs ministry, 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform Hajj this year. Of these, 119,210 pilgrims will travel under the government scheme, while 60,000 will go through private tour operators.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said the Hajj operation was being completed according to the timeline provided by Saudi authorities.
“The first stage of our Hajj training has been completed. The second stage will start after Ramadan,” he said. “And the first flight will leave on April 18.”
Multiple airlines, including the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Saudia, will operate Hajj flights, according to the minister.
