Lahore, April 18, 2026 (Kamran Raja):The first Hajj flight under the Route to Makkah initiative departed from Lahore on Friday, carrying 345 pilgrims to Medina.
The Saudia flight SV5735 took off at 10:30 a.m., marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage operations from Lahore under the special facilitation program.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, along with Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, saw off the pilgrims at the airport. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Federal Secretary Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza, and Head of the Route to Makkah Project Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and other officials praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continued support and excellent arrangements for Hajj pilgrims. They paid tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and Ambassador Nawaf Al-Malki for facilitating Pakistani pilgrims.
The departing pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for its efforts in ensuring smooth and efficient travel arrangements for Hajj this year.