APP
Islamabad: As Pakistan’s Hajj operation for 2026 enters its final and most demanding phase, the arrival of more than 90,000 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in one of the country’s largest annual logistical and spiritual undertakings.
With 77 percent of the official government Hajj quota now fulfilled, the pace of operations reflects both the growing momentum of the pilgrim movement and the extensive coordination behind the scenes.
An additional 6,224 Pakistani pilgrims reached the Kingdom on Friday through the “Route to Makkah” initiative and regular Hajj flights departing from multiple cities across Pakistan. Their arrival raised the total number of Pakistani pilgrims currently in the Holy Land to 90,976.
According to Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson Umar Butt, a total of 338 flights have landed so far, 164 in Madinah and 174 in Makkaha, s Pakistan continues its large-scale airlift operation under the government Hajj scheme.
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The majority of pilgrims are now based in Makkah, where preparations for the core rituals of Hajj are intensifying. Official figures show that 94 percent of the pilgrims are currently residing in Makkah, while the remaining 6 percent are in Madinah, where pilgrims traditionally spend eight days in prayer and reflection before moving onward.
On Friday alone, another 777 pilgrims arrived in Madinah to begin their stay. Meanwhile, 22,204 pilgrims have successfully completed their eight-day visit to the holy city and proceeded to Makkah. Overall, 35,249 pilgrims have so far been transported from Madinah to Makkah, while another 42,572 pilgrims flew directly from Pakistan to Makkah under streamlined arrangements.
Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s Hajj mission has nearly completed the deployment of its operational workforce tasked with assisting pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage. Officials said that 98 percent of Hajj Welfare Staff, known as Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, have assumed their responsibilities, alongside 93 percent of technical and SDE staff and 87 percent of medical teams.
The welfare teams are playing a crucial role in guiding pilgrims through the crowded holy sites and ensuring uninterrupted support during the physically demanding pilgrimage season. At the entry points of Masjid al-Haram, specially assigned “Haram Guides” have already assisted 17,768 Pakistani pilgrims, helping them navigate one of the world’s busiest religious gathering points.
In Madinah, thousands of pilgrims have also benefited from organized visits to significant Islamic historical sites. So far, 35,058 pilgrims have been facilitated for Ziyarat at Sirat-al-Jannah and other revered locations, enriching their spiritual experience beyond the core Hajj rituals.
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Transport arrangements, often regarded as one of the most critical components of Hajj management, have also been significantly expanded.
To maintain smooth movement between residential accommodations and the Holy Haram for prayers and Umrah rituals, the Ministry added 45 new buses to the transportation network during the last 24 hours. The active fleet now stands at 416 buses operating round the clock to provide uninterrupted pick-and-drop services for Pakistani pilgrims.
As the pilgrimage season advances toward its peak days, the scale of Pakistan’s Hajj operation underscores the immense logistical planning required to manage tens of thousands of worshippers far from home. From flight coordination and accommodation management to medical care, transportation, and spiritual guidance, the mission continues to evolve into a vast human support system aimed at ensuring that pilgrims can focus on the spiritual essence of their once-in-a-lifetime journey.
