The second phase of the arrival of government-sponsored Hajj pilgrims to the holy land via Jeddah Airport commenced on Wednesday.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, welcomed the first direct flight arriving from Islamabad under the Makkah Route Initiative; according to the Religious Affairs Ministry.

Director General of Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, Chief Coordinator for Hajj Operations, Dr Mirza Ali Mehsud, Director Makkah Azizullah Khan, Consul General Khalid Majeed, Saudi officials, and other senior officers were also present at Jeddah Airport to receive the pilgrims.

During this phase, nearly 46,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Makkah via Jeddah by May 31. Pilgrims arriving directly in Jeddah will proceed to Madinah after performing Hajj.