Madinah: Pakistan has commenced its pre-Hajj flight operation, successfully transporting 1,357 pilgrims to Madinah. Flights departed from various cities across Pakistan, marking the beginning of the annual religious pilgrimage.

According to Radio Pakistan, the pilgrims were greeted upon their arrival at the airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, along with Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani and other officials. The pilgrims were then taken to the Markaziyah area of Madinah, which is adjacent to Masjid al-Nabawi. The Pakistani Hajj mission has arranged housing in this area for all 119,210 pilgrims participating in this year’s government-backed scheme.

The pilgrims expressed their gratitude to both the Pakistani and Saudi governments for the arrangements. The pre-Hajj flight operation is set to continue until the main Hajj period begins.