ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hajj 2026 flight operation is expected to begin on April 18, according to sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The first flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia on the same day.
Officials said the first phase of the Hajj operation will start from major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Multan. Detailed schedules and flight information will be shared with pilgrims next week.
Under the government’s Hajj scheme for 2026, a total of 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia. Around 468 flights will be arranged to transport the pilgrims during the operation.
On the first day of the operation, four flights will depart for Medina. Flights heading to Jeddah are expected to begin from May 4. The last flight of the Hajj operation is scheduled to depart on May 21.
The flight operation will run from eight major cities across Pakistan. Islamabad will operate 129 flights, while Karachi will have 124 flights. Lahore will handle 104 flights. Other cities included in the operation are Multan with 34 flights, Sialkot with 26 flights, Faisalabad with 23 flights, Quetta with 18 flights, and Sukkur with five flights.
Authorities are making final preparations to ensure the Hajj operation runs smoothly. Officials aim to provide organized travel arrangements and better facilities for pilgrims.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held the second phase of training sessions for Hajj 2026 pilgrims. The sessions took place at Haji Camp in Islamabad.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the training programme was designed to guide pilgrims about the different stages of the pilgrimage. It also focused on safety measures and the key religious obligations of Hajj and Umrah.
During the session, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Umar Butt explained important administrative procedures. He also briefed pilgrims about departure processes and accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madinah.
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Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is performed by millions of Muslims each year. Pakistan receives one of the largest Hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia, allowing thousands of Pakistani pilgrims to perform the sacred journey annually.
