First PIA flight brings back over 1,000 Hujjaj

LAHORE: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started bringing back Hujjaj (pilgrims) from Saudi Arabia. In a statement, the airlines spokesman said the first post-Haj flights reached Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar on Sunday bringing back more than 1,300 pilgrims.

The airlines brought back more than 377 pilgrims to Karachi, 392 to Islamabad, 323 to Lahore and 276 to Peshawar.

The first return flight to Karachi was received by Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori and PIA Airport Station Manager Javed Pechuho along with officials of PIA passenger handling services.

The pilgrims were presented with rose garlands. Officials of CAA were also present to welcome the pilgrims.

At the Islamabad International Airport, the pilgrims were welcomed and received by Senator Talha Mehmood, who also accompanied them on the same flight from Jeddah.

The pilgrims at the Lahore Airport were received by the PIA Airport Station Manager Ali Abbas Shah and officials of passenger handling services of PIA, while the pilgrims at the Peshawar Airport were welcomed by the PIA and CAA officials.

The national airlines will operate nearly 268 flights to bring back 61,467 pilgrims. Nearly 41,000 government scheme pilgrims, 19,000 private and 600 khuddam from Jeddah and Madina Airports will arrive Pakistan through the PIA flights.

The airlines will operate direct Haj flights to Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Peshawar.

The airlines has made special arrangements for the pilgrims at Jeddah and Madina airports to facilitate the pilgrims. The PIA post-Haj operation will conclude on August 2.