Hajj 2025: Flight Operations Finalized

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has verified the completion of preparations for the Hajj operation in 2025. The initial flight operating under the government’s scheme is slated to depart on April 29, with the concluding flight scheduled for May 31.

A statement released on Saturday by the ministry indicated that a sum of 342 flights will be utilized to transport pilgrims from Pakistan. Around 89,000 pilgrims are expected to journey to Medina and Mecca.

The entirety of the Hajj flight operations will be conducted over a period of 33 days. During the initial 15 days, the primary destination for pilgrims will be Medina. On the inaugural day of the operation, six flights are scheduled for departure to Saudi Arabia.

From Lahore, there will be two departing flights, while Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, and Multan will each have one flight. The first flight, operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), is scheduled to leave Islamabad at 4:45 am, carrying 393 pilgrims.

A private airline flight transporting 150 pilgrims will depart from Lahore at 8:30 am, subsequent to a PIA flight from Quetta at 9:30 am, also carrying 150 pilgrims. A PIA flight from Multan, accommodating 393 pilgrims, is scheduled for 8:15 pm.

The private airline flight from Karachi, carrying 285 pilgrims, is slated to depart at 9:30 pm, followed by another flight from Lahore, with 329 pilgrims, which will depart at 10:15 pm.

The ministry had previously announced that a total of 23,620 pilgrims originating from Pakistan would be facilitated to perform Hajj in 2025 under the Private Hajj Scheme.

Muhammad Umar Butt, the ministry’s spokesperson, communicated that the updated catalog of accredited service providers for Hajj 2025 is accessible on the ministry’s official website and the Pak Hajj mobile application.

He advised all pilgrims who have arranged their Hajj through registered service providers to confirm the status of their applications and agreements via the ministry’s portal. Pilgrims are also encouraged to utilize the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile app for additional updates and information, he added.

Umar Butt also conveyed that all approved Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) and service providers have received directives to issue updated Hajj contracts (Hajj forms) to pilgrims, adhering to the designated Hajj quota for 2025.

Butt emphasized the necessity of ensuring Hajj visa issuance by April 18, 2025, in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.