Post‑Hajj Repatriation Begins as First Flights Return Pilgrims to Pakistan

Overview

• The return phase opened Tuesday when Saudi Airlines flight SV‑5734 landed in Lahore with 345 pilgrims, PIA flight PK‑840 arrived in Faisalabad with 163 pilgrims, and the first Jammu and Kashmir group of 144 arrived in Srinagar.
• Officials said Pakistan’s post‑Hajj schedule runs through June 30 with about 471 flights planned while Jammu and Kashmir returns are set between June 2 and June 16 for 3,952 pilgrims using the Srinagar embarkation point.
• Senior provincial and national figures joined welcome ceremonies at arrival points, with Khawaja Salman Rafique receiving the Lahore flight, MNA Bilal Badr Chaudhary at Faisalabad, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah greeting the Srinagar group.
• Pilgrim accounts varied: many praised accommodation, transport and reception in Lahore and Faisalabad, while several J&K returnees complained about revised baggage limits, inconsistent catering, immigration routing through Ahmedabad, and limited usefulness of paid smartwatches.
• Authorities and Haj committees have been urged to review baggage handling, catering and device provision after these first arrivals, a step that could shape operational changes for the remainder of the repatriation.