Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has begun its annual Haj airlift operation, with the first flights departing from Sialkot and Islamabad carrying hundreds of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, who attended a send-off ceremony at Islamabad International Airport, said preparations were completed on schedule with Saudi support, and that pilgrims would receive facilities including e-SIM cards, modern tents, and high-speed rail links between Makkah and Madinah. The government's Road to Makkah project — which allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration formalities before departure — has been expanded to Lahore this year and is expected to benefit over 95,000 pilgrims, with PIA set to transport more than 55,000 people across 191 flights from six Pakistani cities before the pre-Haj operation concludes on 21 May.