Following the announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has resumed Hajj operations, with airspace now reopened for all flights. A scheduled Hajj flight is set to depart tonight.
Sources confirmed that three Hajj flights were canceled today due to heightened tensions. In total, 10 Hajj flights were suspended amid the recent escalation between Pakistan and India, preventing 2,290 pilgrims from traveling to the holy land. The affected flights included seven operated by Saudi Airlines and three by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
According to officials, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has already facilitated the departure of 1,100 stranded pilgrims via special PIA flights. The remaining 1,190 pilgrims are expected to be transported to Saudi Arabia in the coming days through additional special flights.
In an official statement, the Ministry confirmed that Pakistan’s airspace has been fully restored for all types of air travel. Hajj flights will now proceed according to their original schedules.
Details provided by the Ministry indicate that three flights from Lahore, two from Islamabad, and one each from Karachi and Multan were canceled due to the conflict, impacting the travel schedules of 2,290 pilgrims. Out of these, 1,277 pilgrims have already been sent to Saudi Arabia via special flights, while the remaining 1,013 will be accommodated shortly.
A ministry spokesperson reported that, so far, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims have successfully reached Saudi Arabia. All pilgrims are advised to stay in contact with their respective Hajj camps for updated flight information and further assistance.
