Pakistan International Airline (PIA) pre-Hajj operation phase was completed successfully wherein more than 35,000 pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia through 171 flights.

PIA spokesperson said the pre-Hajj operation, which started on May 9, continued till June 11. Hajj flights depart directly from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, and Peshawar.

Pilgrims from Sukkur and Quetta traveled to Jeddah via Karachi.

“Of the 171 flights, 126 departed shortly before the scheduled time. 45 flights were delayed due to bad weather and operational reasons, “PIA spokesperson said.

Wearing white seamless dress of Ihram, hundreds of thousands of Hajj pilgrims flock to Makkah from all over the world. More than 1.3 million pilgrims have already arrived in the holy city. Most of these pilgrims came directly to Makkah via Jeddah from their home countries while the remaining pilgrims reached Makkah after completing their visit to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The pilgrims are making their final preparations before their heading to Mina after three days to start their lifetime spiritual journey. This year’s Hajj will start on Friday, Dhul Hijjah 8, corresponding to June 14, with their movement to Mina. On the Tarwiyyah Day, the pilgrims will stay day and night in the tent city before flocking to the vast plains of Arafat the next day for their standing at Arafat, which marks the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj.

In an ambience of spirituality and atmosphere of faith filled with feelings of atonement, pilgrims are immersed in prayers and supplications in the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during these days. The Saudi authorities and Hajj service providers have mobilized all their facilities and services featuring an integrated system of services so as to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

Over a million pilgrims thronged the Grand Mosque for the last Friday prayer before Hajj on June 7. The Grand Mosque overflowed and lines of worshipers were seen spreading to the courtyards and nearby streets in the Central Haram Area.

More than 1.3 million pilgrims have so far arrived in Makkah from nearly 180 countries around the world. They include pilgrims from the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Americas.

The Mashariq Al-Masiyah Mutawafi Company confirmed the completion of the arrival of its groups of pilgrims from 16 countries from various parts of the world to the holy city and they included pilgrims from Bangladesh, Sudan, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Thailand, Guinea Bissau, China, Guinea Conakry, Myanmar , Liberia, Rwanda, and Gambia.