Lahore (Web Desk): The First Hajj flights departed from Lahore and Islamabad for Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The flight carrying 214 pilgrims took off from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore for Medina.
The first Hajj flight from Islamabad carrying 350 pilgrims also left for Madina Munawwara. Immigration and other formalities of the Hujjaj were completed under Road to Makkah project at Islamabad airport.
According to Spokesperson for Religious Affairs Ministry, the Hajj flight operation from Karachi and Peshawar will begin on Friday while the first Hajj flight would depart from Sukkar on Saturday.
The first Hajj flight from Multan would leave for Saudi Arabia on July 6, while the first flight from Quetta, will depart on July 7 (Sunday).
The pilgrims from Faisalabad would avail the first Hajj flight on July 8 (Monday).
Pilgrims would depart from Sialkot on July 10 (Wednesday), while flights from Rahim Yar Khan will depart on July 27.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate Road to Makkah project from Islamabad airport on Friday to facilitate Pakistani intending pilgrims to complete their immigration and other formalities at their home airport.
Special help counters have been set up at the Islamabad Airport to facilitate the pilgrims.
The religious ministry spokesperson said that Road to Makkah project will be equally beneficial to intending pilgrims either leaving for Madina or Jeddah airports.
He said that the Road to Makkah programme is a pilot project being started from Islamabad airport and will be extended to other airports of the country in subsequent years.
The spokesperson further said that Road to Makkah project is a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistani intending pilgrims and 21,000 Hujjaj will be benefited from this initiative. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had requested Saudi Crown Prince during his visit to Islamabad to include Pakistan in Road to Makkah project.
He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also started issuance of E-Visa for Hajj Pilgrims under government Hajj Scheme. Ten Haji camps have become functional across the country.
The intending Hujjaj will be provided passports, tickets, lockets and stickers before Hajj flight.