ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalized preparations for Hajj 2026.
Agreements have been reached with four airlines to transport Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and bring them back to Pakistan.
Agreements have been signed with PIA, Saudi Airlines, and two Pakistani private airlines to provide travel facilities to pilgrims for Hajj 2026.
Under the agreement, PIA will transport 49,020 government Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Airlines will provide air services to 47,690 pilgrims.
According to sources, two Pakistani private airlines will provide travel facilities to a total of 22,500 Hajj pilgrims.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also issued instructions to all airlines to complete the final flight schedule as soon as possible.
According to sources, a total of 119,210 Hajj pilgrims will be provided air services under the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official Hajj scheme.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a formal agreement on arrangements and facilities for Hajj 2026.
Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Al-Mashat and Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman signed the Hajj agreement in Jeddah.
The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan His Excellency Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, DG Hajj Jeddah Abdul Wahab Soomro, Director Hajj Makkah Azizullah Khan, Director Hajj Madinah Zia-ur-Rehman, Deputy Secretary Hajj Policy Chaudhry Kashif Hussain, and officials of HOAP, a representative organization of private Hajj companies.
Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman thanked the Saudi government for its excellent efforts in providing hospitality and facilities to the pilgrims.
He said that, like last year, high-quality facilities will be provided to Pakistani pilgrims this year too.
He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is committed to completing the arrangements for public and private Hajj schemes in a timely and effective manner, in accordance with the instructions of the Saudi government.
