ISLAMABAD, May 15 — More than 78,000 Pakistani pilgrims have safely arrived in Saudi Arabia under the government’s Hajj program. Since the flight operations started in mid-April, the government has been working quickly to transport thousands of citizens for the annual pilgrimage. Out of the 119,000 people expected to travel through the official government scheme, nearly 70% have already reached the Kingdom. In total, Pakistan plans to send over 179,000 pilgrims this year when including those traveling through private tour operators.
Over 78,000 Pakistani pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia under government Hajj scheme
Source: Arab News#Pakistanhttps://t.co/Xund3Tj4n6
— Pak News – www.pak.news (@paknewsnow) May 15, 2026
Quick Facts
- 78,929 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia under the government scheme so far.
- A total of 119,000 government-scheme pilgrims are expected this year.
- Another 39,905 people are scheduled to fly out by next Thursday.
- So far, 313 out of 468 planned flights have successfully completed their trips.
- The “Route to Makkah” initiative now includes Lahore, alongside Islamabad and Karachi.
- This initiative allows pilgrims to clear Saudi immigration before leaving Pakistan.
The flight operation, which began on April 18, has been described as smooth and efficient. By next Thursday, nearly 40,000 more pilgrims are expected to depart from various cities across Pakistan. The use of 313 flights so far shows the massive scale of the logistical effort. Most travelers are benefiting from the “Route to Makkah” program, which saves them hours of waiting at Saudi airports. Instead of standing in long lines for customs and immigration upon arrival, they can go straight to their hotels in Makkah or Madinah.
This year, the expansion of the “Route to Makkah” project to Lahore has made the journey much easier for residents of Punjab. Previously, only those flying from the capital or Karachi could enjoy this perk. By finishing all the paperwork at home, the physical and mental stress of the journey is greatly reduced. For many elderly pilgrims, this change is a welcome relief, allowing them to focus entirely on their religious duties rather than administrative hurdles. With just a few weeks left before the main Hajj rituals begin, the government is on track to complete the transport of all remaining pilgrims on schedule.
