Pakistan begins Hajj 2025 flights with over 89,000 pilgrims
50,500 pilgrims to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Hajj 2025 operations officially commenced on Tuesday, as the first government-arranged flight carrying 442 pilgrims departed from Islamabad to Madinah under the Makkah Route Initiative.
The 33-day outbound operation is set to airlift more than 89,000 pilgrims under the government scheme, with 342 flights scheduled to depart until 31st May.
The launch also marks the continuation of Pakistan’s participation in Saudi Arabia’s streamlined pre-departure immigration service.
The inaugural flight, PIA PK-713, departed Islamabad International Airport at 4:45AM. Later that morning, AirSial’s Flight PF-7700 took off from Lahore at 8:00AM with 150 pilgrims.
A total of six flights were scheduled on the opening day from key cities – Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Multan.
Pakistan Hajj 2025 operations
From Quetta, PIA is operating a Hajj flight carrying 170 pilgrims scheduled for departure at 10:00 am. Lahore’s first Hajj flight of 323 pilgrims is set for departure at 10:00 pm. Each of these flights is part of a broader plan where, during the first phase, all flights are directed to Madinah, while the second phase will see departures to Jeddah.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, around 50,500 of the government pilgrims will use the Makkah Route Initiative from Islamabad and Karachi, allowing them to complete Saudi immigration in Pakistan. Islamabad will handle 28,000 such departures, while Karachi will manage 22,500.
Road to Makkah expansion
This initiative, launched in 2019, also operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, and Bangladesh. Addressing pilgrims at Islamabad airport, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf urged travellers to follow Saudi laws and traditions. He also confirmed plans to visit Saudi Arabia personally to monitor arrangements and support Pakistani pilgrims on-site.
At Lahore airport, Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique saw off AirSial’s departing pilgrims and thanked the provincial government for its role in the smooth organisation. He highlighted inter-agency coordination, praising the Airport Security Force, Customs, FIA, and AirSial for their efforts. Director Hajj Rizwan Sharif added that pilgrims would receive printed guidance materials, while Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad of the Pakistan Airport Authority revealed plans to expand the Makkah Route Initiative to Lahore in 2026.
Security and support measures
Brigadier Sikandar from the Anti-Narcotics Force addressed pilgrims, advising vigilance and urging them to avoid accepting items from strangers to prevent trafficking incidents. The ANF has intensified efforts to safeguard Pakistan’s international image and ensure a trouble-free pilgrimage for all passengers.
Simultaneously, private tour operators are expected to facilitate an additional 23,620 pilgrims, bringing Pakistan’s total Hajj participation this year to over 112,000. With global attendance projected to cross 2.5 million, this year’s Hajj promises to be one of the largest in recent history.