Pakistan's Hajj 2026 operation officially began on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with the departure of the first flight carrying pilgrims from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The flight, which carried 160 pilgrims, operates under the Saudi Road to Makkah initiative, which streamlines immigration procedures for pilgrims in their country of departure.
According to state broadcaster Pakistan Television (PTV), the flight's departure marks the start of the pilgrimage season for Pakistan. The Road to Makkah initiative, launched by Saudi Arabia, facilitates pilgrims by allowing them to complete all immigration requirements—including passport control, customs, and health checks—at their airport of origin, significantly reducing waiting times upon arrival in the Kingdom.
The Pakistani government has outlined plans for hundreds of flights to transport tens of thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic pilgrimage over the coming weeks. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is expected to take place in early June 2026, corresponding to the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
