First Hajj flight carrying 158 intending pilgrims leaves for Madinah

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2026) The first Hajj flight carrying 158 intending pilgrims departed from Faisalabad International

Airport to Madinah on Sunday amid a grand and emotional send-off with authorities concerned

announced that total 3,651 pilgrims would travel to the holy land by 23 flights from the airport

this year.

The first flight marked the formal inauguration of Hajj 2026 operations from Faisalabad,

where a dignified ceremony was held to see off the intending pilgrims.

Member Provincial Assembly Rana Ahmad Shahryar Khan and Divisional Commissioner

Faisalabad Madam Musarrat Jabeen bade farewell to the intending pilgrims and extended

their best wishes for a safe and spiritually rewarding journey.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana Ahmad Shahryar Khan said the government was utilizing

all available resources to ensure maximum facilities for pilgrims so they could perform Hajj

with peace and comfort.

He described Hajj as a great religious obligation and said that it promotes spiritual purification

as well as unity and brotherhood among Muslims.

He termed the launch of Hajj operations from Faisalabad a welcome development and

said that comprehensive arrangements had been made to facilitate pilgrims at every stage.

He urged them to strictly follow the laws of Saudi Arabia, maintain discipline and project

a positive image of Pakistan.

Incharge Hajj Operations for Faisalabad Muhammad Arif Zahoor said that this year

23 flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would transport 3,651 pilgrims from

Faisalabad to Saudi Arabia.

He said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs had made exemplary arrangements

to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for pilgrims.

He said that special training sessions were organized at district and tehsil levels

to guide pilgrims about Hajj rituals, Saudi regulations and travel procedures.

He said that pilgrims had also been provided special gifts including luggage bags,

hand-carry bags, shoe bags and scarves for women to facilitate them during the journey.

Highlighting additional facilities, he said the government had introduced modern

measures to enhance services for Hajj 2026. Under the Nazim Hajj Scheme,

one trained representative of Ministry of Religious Affairs had been appointed

for every 188 pilgrims to assist them in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalfah, he added.

He said that on a pilot basis, around 24,000 pilgrims would also be facilitated

through the “Haramain High-Speed Railway” between Makkah and Madinah,

reducing travel time and improving convenience.

The air-conditioned tents, comfortable folding mattresses and quality meals

had been arranged in Mina while each pilgrim would receive a free mobile SIM

upon arrival in Saudi Arabia with 40GB data for long Hajj and 25GB for short

Hajj to stay connected with families, he added.

Divisional Commissioner Madam Musarrat Jabeen said the district administration

had made all possible arrangements to facilitate pilgrims and special attention

had been given to ensure best arrangements at the airport.

She prayed for the safe journey of all pilgrims and acceptance of their Hajj.

District Manager PIA Shahid Hussain and Airport Manager Ms. Tasneem Akhtar

Jameel also assured that all arrangements had been finalized to ensure smooth

Hajj flight operations.

The pilgrims expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided by the government

and appreciated the efforts made to ease their journey.