ISLAMABAD: More than 52,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia aboard over 200 flights to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia hosts millions of Muslims each year for Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by every financially and physically able Muslim.
Pakistan remains among the largest contributors of Hajj pilgrims, with tens of thousands travelling to the Kingdom annually under both government and private schemes.
According to the ministry, 52,195 Pakistani pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia through 135 flights to Madinah and 72 flights to Jeddah.
“Forty-four per cent of the official Hajj quota has been completed, and 1,090 personnel of the Pakistan Hajj Mission are active in the field,” the ministry said, adding that 12,111 Pakistani pilgrims had arrived under the private Hajj scheme.
Pakistan was allocated a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, of which 119,000 are expected to travel under the government scheme, while the remaining pilgrims will be accommodated through private tour operators.
Islamabad has said the country’s pre-Hajj flight operation is expected to continue without interruption until 21 May, while the annual pilgrimage is likely to take place during the final week of this month.
This year, many Pakistani pilgrims have travelled to Saudi Arabia from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad under the Route to Makkah Initiative.
The initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration and customs clearance procedures in Pakistan before departure, enabling them to avoid lengthy processing upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and travel directly to their accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.
