First pilgrims depart
Hajj flight operations from Pakistan began early on Saturday 18 April 2026, when the first group of 160 pilgrims departed from Karachi at 3am on a private airline, authorities at Jinnah International Airport said.
Under the Road to Makkah Project, one-time immigration for the pilgrims was completed at Karachi airport before departure. The flight landed in Madinah, where airport authorities and Hajj service providers received the pilgrims, officials said.
PIA to start flights on 19 April
A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson said the national carrier would begin its Hajj operations on 19 April and planned to carry more than 55,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on 191 flights, operating from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Quetta.
The first PIA flight, PK-747, was scheduled to depart from Sialkot for Madinah on 19 April, and flight PK-4003 was to leave Faisalabad the same day carrying more than 150 pilgrims.
Earlier in April, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said arrangements for Hajj 2026 had been completed with no extra cost for 180,000 pilgrims, including 120,000 under the government scheme and 60,000 private pilgrims. Pakistan had earlier asked Saudi Arabia to raise its Hajj 2026 quota, as reported in the January quota request.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-04-18.
- Pakistan Today — Hajj flights begin from Pakistan as first pilgrims leave KarachiPublished 18 April 2026 · Primary: the first 160-pilgrim departure from Karachi, the Road to Makkah immigration process, PIA's 191 flights for more than 55,000 pilgrims and the minister's statement on arrangements for 180,000 pilgrims.
