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  "path": "/news/1993193/minister-affirms-govt-providing-pilgrims-best-possible-facilities-as-pia-launches-haj-operation",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-19T07:12:07.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan",
    "Radio Pakistan",
    "PK-747",
    "PK-753",
    "49,000 pilgrims will travel",
    "will transport"
  ],
  "textContent": "Religious affairs minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Sunday affirmed that the government was providing Haj pilgrims with the best possible facilities as the Paki­stan International Air­lines (PIA) began its Haj operation.\n\nPilgrims were seen off at the Islamabad International Airport by Yousuf and other senior officials at the airport, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.\n\nIt added that the Road to Makkah project has been expanded to Lahore, in addition to Karachi and Islamabad, and is expected to benefit over 95,000 pilgrims this year.\n\nA PIA spokesperson had earlier said that the first flight of the Haj operation (PK-747), carrying over 390 pilgrims, was set to depart from Sialkot for Madina, which took off past 2am.\n\nAt the Islamabad airport, the Haj operation’s first flight from the capital (PK-753) took off for Riyadh shortly after 9am.\n\nAddressing the ceremony in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan completed the Haj preparations within the stipulated time with the support of the Saudi government, adding that the government was providing the pilgrims with the best possible facilities.\n\nHe highlighted that the Road to Makkah project allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration and other formalities at their departure airport, making their arrival in Saudi Arabia smoother, _Radio Pakistan_ reported.\n\nPilgrims will also be provided with e-SIM cards, enabling them to remain in contact with their families in Pakistan, the minister said. Other facilities included modern tents and high-speed trains connecting Makkah and Madinah for convenient travel.\n\nThe minister expressed gratitude to Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, and Haj Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah for their support and guidance in facilitating the Haj preparations.\n\nHe congratulated the pilgrims on embarking on a blessed journey and urged them to represent Pakistan with “honour and dignity during their pilgrimage”, the report added.\n\n> A PIA spokesperson said that under the government scheme, 49,000 pilgrims will travel, while over 6,000 pilgrims through private Haj group operators will also be facilitated via PIA flights.\n\nThe PIA pre-Haj operation will conclude on May 21, the spokesperson added.\n\nUnder the Haj operation, PIA will transport over 15,400 pilgrims from Islamabad to Saudi Arabia through 46 flights.\n\nOver 15,000 pilgrims will be flown through 55 flights from Karachi; 12,377 pilgrims through 34 flights from Lahore; 3,680 pilgrims through 23 flights from Faisalabad; 5,383 pilgrims through 13 flights from Multan; 2,075 pilgrims through five flights from Sialkot; and 4,487 pilgrims through 15 Haj flights from Quetta.\n\nThe first flight from Karachi (PK-743) will depart on April 23 at 07:15 am with 391 pilgrims.\n\nThe first Haj flight from Quetta will depart on April 21 at 5:45am with over 300 pilgrims, while an equal number of passengers will be onboard the first pre-Haj flight from Lahore on April 24.",
  "title": "Minister affirms govt providing pilgrims best possible facilities as PIA launches Haj operation"
}