Pakistan Hajj flights transport over 15,000 pilgrims to Madinah

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hajj flight operations to Saudi Arabia are continuing without interruption, with thousands of pilgrims arriving in Madinah in the first week of the annual pilgrimage, the religious affairs ministry said on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that 15,026 Pakistani pilgrims had reached Madinah through 59 flights in the first seven days of the Hajj operation.

The ministry said that eight additional flights were scheduled on Saturday, carrying around 2,200 more pilgrims to the holy city.

Officials said staff from the religious affairs ministry have also arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of the Hajj support team, deployed to assist pilgrims with logistical and administrative services.

According to the ministry, 4,611 Pakistani pilgrims have been taken on Ziyarat — visits to religious sites — in Madinah as part of their stay.

The spokesperson said the lost and found unit had recovered one pilgrim, 14 wheelchairs and 673 bags, ensuring their return to their rightful owners.

A Hajj medical mission has also been providing healthcare support, treating 288 pilgrims at outpatient clinics, while five patients received dental care and four underwent ECG examinations, the ministry added.

The first group of Pakistani pilgrims who arrived in Madinah is scheduled to depart for Makkah later on Saturday as the next phase of the pilgrimage journey begins.