ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony officially launched the second phase of its Hajj flight operations today, marking the commencement of direct flights to Jeddah. This transition follows the successful completion of initial flights primarily directed to Madinah.
On the opening day of this phase, a total of 4,337 pilgrims are scheduled to depart from various Pakistani cities via 17 dedicated flights. The expansion of the flight path to Jeddah is a strategic move to streamline the arrival of pilgrims as the Hajj season intensifies.
The Ministry provided a comprehensive update on the total influx of pilgrims to the Kingdom:
Government Scheme: 32,454 pilgrims have safely reached Saudi Arabia via 126 flights.
Private Scheme: 4,489 pilgrims have arrived to date.
Total Arrivals: Combined, nearly 37,000 Pakistani citizens are now on the ground to begin their spiritual journey.
Support Services and Recovery Efforts
The Main Control Office of the Pakistan Hajj Mission continues to provide round-the-clock administrative and logistical support. The Missing and Recovery Department reported significant success in its recent operations:
Reunification: 6 lost pilgrims were successfully found and safely transported to their respective accommodations.
Logistics Recovery: The department recovered and delivered 3,700 bags and 37 wheelchairs to their rightful owners, ensuring minimal disruption for elderly and disabled pilgrims.
Furthermore, the Haram Guides have been instrumental in crowd management and navigation, providing pathfinding assistance to more than 13,000 pilgrims within the vicinity of the Holy sites.
Hajj Medical Mission: Healthcare Updates
To ensure the well-being of the pilgrims, the Hajj Medical Mission has deployed extensive healthcare services across Makkah and Madinah. According to the latest medical bulletin, the following services have been rendered:
| Service Category | Total Procedures/Patients |
| Outpatient Department (OPD) | 5,000 |
| Dental Procedures | 132 |
| X-Rays | 28 |
| Laboratory Tests | 18 |
| Ultrasounds | 8 |
| ECGs | 5 |
