The Ministry of Religious Affairs has resumed Hajj operation following the announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India and the reopening of Pakistan’s airspace, Express News reported.
Last night after Indian missile attacks on three Pakistan Air Force bases of India, which were captured by the country’s air defense systems, Pakistan Airports Authority (on) had imposed an air nut throughout the country and suspended all aircraft operations.
However, after major de-scaling with India, Pakistan has opened his airspace to all civilians and commercial flights. The fluid’s ceasefire restores normal aircraft operations in airports nationwide and signalizes a return to stability after a period of disturbance.
Read more: Pakistan destroys India’s Brahmos Stockpile, Airbases in ‘Operation Bunyan-Un-Maroos’
According to the ministry’s sources, a Hajj flight is planned later tonight and marks the formal resumption of operations temporarily suspended due to increased tension between Pakistan and India.
Earlier in the day, three Hajj aircraft were canceled in the middle of the security situation, which brought the total number of suspended flights to ten since the escalation began. The disturbance affected 2,290 pilgrims, which were unable to travel to Saudi -Arabia according to plan.
The suspended flights included seven drives of the Saudi airlines and three of Pakistan International Airlines (Pia), the ministry said.
Pakistans opened its airspace as a full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan has reached after days of increased military exchanges between the two nuclear armed South Asian neighbors.
The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump on Saturday and later confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, DPM Ishaq Dar, Minister of Indian external affairs S. Jaisankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Read more: Pakistan and India agree on immediate ceasefire
In a statement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that 1,100 of the pilgrims concerned have already been sent to Saudi Arabia on special Pia aircraft, while there are events to transport the remaining 1,190 in the coming days.
“The air track in Pakistan has been fully restored to all types of flights. Hajj operations will now continue according to the original schedule,” the ministry said.
The canceled flights included three from Lahore, two from Islamabad and one from Karachi and Multan.
A total of 1,277 pilgrims have been flown out via special flights and the remaining 1,013 will be sent cards, added officials. So far, 19,669 Pakistani Pilgrims have successfully arrived in Saudi -Arabia to perform Hajj.
The ministry advised all pilgrims to keep in touch with their respective Hajj camps for flight updates and further help.
