Latest news with #post-Hajj
Saudi Gazette
19-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Smart screens guide worshippers at Prophet's Mosque in 23 languages
Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Prophet's Mosque offers numerous awareness-raising services to deliver religious and guidance messages to pilgrims through field personnel and modern technologies, as part of its efforts to enrich their experience during their visit to Madinah. The guidance provided to worshippers at the Prophet's Mosque during the post-Hajj season includes a set of smart enrichment services provided by the General Administration of Field Awareness at the Agency for Dawah and Guidance Affairs at the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Prophet's Mosque. These services utilize smart interactive guidance screens distributed throughout the Prophet's Mosque, enabling visitors to download guidance and da'wah brochures onto their smartphones via an interactive barcode, enhancing their interactive experience. This is part of the agency's plans for digital transformation, which aims to enhance da'wah and guidance services digitally and technologically. Interactive screens represent a qualitative leap in delivering religious and guidance messages to the guests of God digitally, and are fed with diverse interactive enrichment content in 23 international languages.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Post-Hajj flights continue amid tensions
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony confirmed on Sunday that the post-Hajj flight operation was continuing successfully despite global air traffic disruptions. Ministry Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said as of Saturday, a total of 11,418 Pakistani pilgrims had returned home from Saudi Arabia, while 4,995 more pilgrims were expected to arrive via 20 flights scheduled to land across five major cities on Sunday. "Today, six flights each will land in Islamabad and Lahore, four in Karachi, three in Multan, and one in Quetta," the spokesperson stated. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate eight of these flights; Saudi Airlines, five; AirBlue, four; AirSial, two; and Serene Air one. "Despite the international challenges in air traffic, the return operation is proceeding efficiently," he noted, urging the pilgrims to maintain discipline to ensure a smooth repatriation process. Pilgrims were also advised to strictly adhere to the instructions. Pak airspace becomes key route Several foreign airlines have started using Pakistan's airspace for various international destinations as airspace closures continued in the Middle East region because of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, data shows. Major carriers, including Emirates, are now flying over northern Pakistan on routes to North America, Egypt, and other destinations. Their flight paths pass through western Pakistan, then proceed over Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey before heading west. The airspaces of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remained closed. The major airlines affected by the regional tension include El Al, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India, Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, subsidiary AJet, Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and flydubai. These carriers have suspended flights to and from Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan or rerouted flights over safer airspace such as Central Asia or Saudi Arabia. Iraq's closure affects one of the busiest air corridors between Europe and the Gulf. The airspace of Israel and Iran remained closed on Sunday. Jordan – which geographically lies between the two warring countries – reopened its airspace after a temporary closure. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have reported delays and cancellations linked to these restrictions. Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, its main international terminal, remained shut with all flights suspended until further notice, according to the Israel Airports Authority. Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation confirmed its airspace closure would remain in effect until Sunday evening. With input from agencies
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Business Recorder
First Hajj flight reaches Lahore
LAHORE: The first Hajj flight, Airblue flight PA-473, reached Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday, carrying 147 pilgrims from Jeddah. The flight marked the beginning of the post-Hajj return season. Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer received the pilgrims at the airport and offered garlands and prayers for their safe return. Director Hajj Directorate Lahore Syed Muhammad Arif Hazoor, Deputy Director Mujeeb Shah, the airport manager, customs, airport security force officers and others were also present. While talking to the media, Imran Nazeer congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Ministry of Religious Affairs for making the best arrangements for pilgrims. On this occasion, the pilgrims expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the comprehensive arrangements made by the government for their holy journey. 'We are thankful to the government for the excellent arrangements,' said a pilgrim. Moreover, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)'s first Hajj flight, PK 936, arrived at the Lahore Airport at 2:45 pm, bringing back 328 pilgrims from Jeddah. PIA officials, including District Manager Agha Zaheeruddin, Station Manager Ashfaq Awan, Airport Manager, Chief Security Officer, and other staff, warmly welcomed the pilgrims upon their arrival. According to a PIA spokesperson, on the first day of the post-Hajj operation, four flights departed from Jeddah to various cities in Pakistan: two flights arrived in the federal capital Islamabad, one flight landed in Karachi, and one flight arrived in Lahore. In total, approximately 950 pilgrims were expected to return home on this first day. The PIA has made special arrangements to ensure the convenience of the pilgrims at the Jeddah Hajj Terminal. Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat is personally overseeing the repatriation operation. The post-Hajj operation is set to continue from June 10 until July 10. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Express Tribune
First post-Hajj PIA flight departs Jeddah with 307 Pakistani pilgrims
Listen to article Pakistan's post-Hajj flight operation is set to begin Tuesday evening with the departure of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-732 from Jeddah, carrying 307 pilgrims. The flight will leave King Abdulaziz International Airport at 8:50 PM local time and is expected to land at Islamabad International Airport at 3:50 AM on Wednesday, according to Dr Syed Ata Ur Rehman, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Dr Ata confirmed that the first return flight from Madinah, PK-7030, is scheduled for June 12. It will depart for Lahore at 3:30 PM and arrive at 10:30 PM with approximately 307 pilgrims on board. The post-Hajj operation will continue until July 10, concluding with flight PK-7094, which will bring around 437 pilgrims from Madinah to Islamabad at 12:30 PM. A total of more than 88,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the government scheme will be brought back to Pakistan through 362 flights. Dr Ata added that over 115,000 Pakistanis performed Hajj this year under both government and private arrangements. The Pakistan Hajj Mission has made detailed logistical preparations to ensure the smooth and dignified return of all pilgrims to the country.
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PIA successfully completes its pre-Hajj operations
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has successfully completed its pre-Hajj operation that began on April 29 and continued until the night of May 31. During the two-month operation, PIA operated a total of 147 Hajj flights, facilitating the transportation of 42,400 pilgrims to the holy cities of Saudi Arabia, PIA spokesman said. The transported pilgrims included 35,000 government Hajj pilgrims and 4,000 private pilgrims. Additionally, PIA accommodated over 3,000 pilgrims who had been left stranded by other airlines operating within Pakistani airspace. One of the notable achievements of this year's pre-Hajj operation was PIA's flight schedule regularity, which exceeded 90 percent. This high punctuality rate reflects the airline's operational efficiency and commitment to maintaining reliable service during the critical Hajj season. PIA spokesman informed that the airline's post-Hajj operation is scheduled to commence on June 10, 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
