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–Ministry of Religious Affairs issues Hajj flight schedule, directs pilgrims to check Pak Hajj app for travel details
BeNewz Report
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released the Hajj flight schedule, announcing that Hajj flights from Pakistan will begin on April 18, according to an official statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday. Pilgrims have been advised to check their travel details through the Pak Hajj mobile application and the ministry’s official website before departure.
The ministry said all intending pilgrims under the government scheme should regularly review updates on the Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application, which has been developed to provide flight information, training schedules, and accommodation details. Officials said the digital system is part of efforts to streamline travel arrangements and avoid last-minute confusion at airports.
Pakistan sends one of the largest contingents of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia every year under a quota allocated by Riyadh. Under the Hajj Policy 2026 approved earlier this year, Pakistan’s total quota stands at 179,210 pilgrims, divided between government and private schemes, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Officials said flight operations are conducted in phases from major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, depending on the number of pilgrims in each region. The pre-Hajj flight operation usually continues for several weeks to ensure all pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia before the start of rituals in Makkah.
The government scheme accounts for the majority of travelers, while private tour operators handle the remaining quota. The quota is generally split equally between the two arrangements, with additional seats sometimes allocated under sponsorship or overseas schemes, according to official policy documents released with the annual Hajj plan.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has increasingly relied on digital tools to manage the large-scale operation. In recent years, the government introduced mobile applications, online training modules, and electronic balloting systems to manage applications, payments, and travel logistics for thousands of pilgrims.
Officials say the use of mobile applications became necessary after the number of applicants frequently exceeded available seats in previous years, forcing authorities to conduct computerized balloting for the government quota. The ministry has also introduced training sessions and monitoring staff to assist pilgrims during travel and stay in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s Hajj arrangements are coordinated with Saudi authorities, airlines, and domestic institutions months in advance. Agreements are signed with Pakistan International Airlines and foreign carriers every year to transport pilgrims under the official scheme, while private operators make separate travel arrangements for their groups.
According to ministry officials, pilgrims are advised to reach airports several hours before departure and ensure that vaccination, travel, and identification documents are complete. The ministry said further announcements regarding luggage limits, training sessions, and departure timings will be issued in the coming days.
The Hajj operation is one of the largest annual logistical exercises handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, involving coordination with airlines, banks, provincial offices, and Saudi authorities. The ministry said all future updates regarding Hajj flights, accommodation, and travel instructions will continue to be issued through the Pak Hajj application and official website as the April 18 start date approaches.
