Islamabad: Pakistan’s Hajj return operations began on Saturday night as the first flight carrying 117 pilgrims arrived at Islamabad International Airport, officials said.

Airport Manager Aftab Gilani received the returning pilgrims upon their arrival, marking the formal start of post-Hajj repatriation flights for Pakistani pilgrims.

The return process begins after more than 1.7 million Muslims from 165 countries completed the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia under extremely hot weather conditions. Pilgrims performed key rituals in Makkah and Mina, including the stoning ritual and the farewell Tawaf at the Grand Mosque, before beginning their journey back home.

This year’s pilgrimage took place amid severe heat, prompting Saudi authorities to introduce enhanced heat-mitigation measures following last year’s deadly season, when more than 1,300 pilgrims reportedly died as temperatures exceeded 50°C.

The Saudi Red Crescent reported that it had provided emergency medical assistance to more than 83,000 pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

On the outbound side, Pakistan’s Hajj operations began last month when the first group of 160 pilgrims departed from Karachi via a private airline. Under the Road to Makkah Project, immigration procedures for pilgrims were completed at Karachi Airport before departure, easing processing upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

According to officials, more than 55,000 Pakistani pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia through Pakistan International Airlines in 191 flights, including around 49,000 under the government scheme and nearly 6,000 through private operators.