Over 65,000 Pakistani Pilgrims land in Saudi Arabia

Hajj 2024 flight operations in Pakistan to commence on May 9

ISLAMABAD, 12 MAY (DNA) —    The influx of Pakistani pilgrims for Hajj 2026 continues smoothly, with a total of 65,657 pilgrims under the government scheme having arrived in Saudi Arabia as of May 11, 2026. This represents approximately 55% of the total government Hajj quota.

According to the latest situational report, 35,793 pilgrims arrived via Madinah, while 29,864 reached Makkah through Jeddah. Currently, the vast majority of pilgrims 61,607 (94%) are stationed in Makkah, with 4,050 (6%) remaining in Madinah. To date, 262 flights have completed their journeys, including 143 to Madinah and 119 to Jeddah.

To ensure the well-being and guidance of the pilgrims, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has deployed 84% of its planned welfare staff, totaling 1,322 personnel. This dedicated team includes 826 Pakistani Moavineen (helpers), 294 medical staff, and 202 technical and media professionals. Additionally, 893 local Khuddam have been engaged to provide on-ground assistance.

Transportation logistics in Makkah have been significantly bolstered, with 294 buses and coasters now operational to facilitate pilgrim movement. Guidance services remain a priority, with 14,861 pilgrims receiving assistance at the Haram in Makkah and 26,806 pilgrims having completed their visit to Riaz-ul-Jannah in Madinah.

Comprehensive healthcare services are being provided through 33 dispensaries in Makkah and 3 in Madinah. Medical teams have already attended to 27,406 outdoor patients across both holy cities. The Office of Pilgrim Affairs Pakistan (OPAP) also maintains a robust grievance redressal system, having received 936 total complaints related to food, building, and transport; the majority of these have been successfully resolved. â€” DNA