LAHORE: The first Hajj flight of the year departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore for Madina here on Tuesday.
AirSial Flight PF-7700, carrying 150 pilgrims departed from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport for Madina.
Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique bid farewell to the pilgrims during a dignified ceremony.
Several senior officials including Director Hajj Rizwan Sharif, Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) Chief Operating Officer Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Punjab Regional Directorate Commander Brigadier Sikandar and others were also present.
Addressing the gathering,Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed profound gratitude to Allah the Almighty for the opportunity to see off the esteemed pilgrims,a responsibility entrusted to him by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
He lauded the efforts of the Punjab leadership in facilitating the Hajj operation and acknowledged the cooperation of the Airport management, Airport Security Force (ASF), Customs, FIA, AirSial, and other officials in ensuring smooth arrangements.
The health minister described Hajj as a tremendous spiritual blessing, urging pilgrims to cherish every moment spent in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. He emphasized the importance of praying for personal well-being, Pakistan’s prosperity, and the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Sharing the spiritual significance of visiting the Holy Kaaba and the Prophet’s Mosque, he advised pilgrims to purify their hearts and conduct themselves in accordance with Saudi regulations. He prayed for the pilgrims’ safe journey and thanked all involved departments for their diligent efforts.
Later in the day, a second Hajj flight from Lahore carrying 350 pilgrims was also scheduled to depart for Madina.
