The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released the official vaccination plan for Pakistani Pilgrims, traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, with inoculations beginning today.

According to the ministry, Pilgrims in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Multan begin to receive the mandatory meningitis vaccine from today.

Those resident of Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Succo, Faisalabad and Sialkot are scheduled to be vaccinated from April 22.

In Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, vaccinations are administered on Wednesday.

The Saudi government has made the meningitis vaccine mandatory for all citizens and international pilgrims participating in Hajj 2025.

Evidence of vaccination is now a prerequisite for Hajj packing registration according to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Authorities have emphasized that the measure is crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases during the annual pilgrimage that draws millions of people from around the world.

Meanwhile, Pakistan International Airlines (Pia) starts its pre-Hajj aircraft operation from April 29. During this massive exercise, more than 56,000 pilgrims will be flown to Saudi Arabia through 280 flights.

Pia uses Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 aircraft to transport pilgrims.