First Hajj flight reaches Madina with 171 pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The Hajj flights operation started Saturday with the first flight carrying 171 Pakistani pilgrims reached Madina Munawara.

Director General Hajj, Sajid Yousufani, Deputy Director Farooq Rasheed, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia PIA Country Manager Waqar Naseer, and Saudi Hajj officials received the pilgrims at the airport who traveled by flight PK-7001, said a press release received here.

186 pilgrims reached the King Abdul Aziz Airport Jeddah from Islamabad through PK- 741. Pakistani Consulate Officers welcomed them at Jeddah airport.

Director Hajj Mohammad Imtiaz, Consul Fauzia Fayyaz, Minister Coordination, Javed Rafiq, HOC Atif Dar, welcomed the Hajj pilgrims. Saudi Deputy Minister Hajj Abdullah Al-Fataah, Chairman Moassassa Dr. Raaf-i Badar, Chairman Maktabul Wukala, Dr. Farooq Bukhari, DG Hajj Marwan Sulemani and other Saudi officials were also present on this occasion.

On this occasion, pilgrims were presented dates and prayer mats by the Saudi authorities.

Representatives of Bus Authorities were present at the airport. Hajj pilgrims left for their respective residences in Mecca and Medina after fulfilling Saudi immigration and customs formalities.

In total, around 184,210 Pakistanis are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj-2018 in more than 450 flights.