After the government allowed international airlines to fly Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the first such flight took off at 5:50am on Thursday.
According to media reports, flight no EY-222 left Karachi Thursday morning carrying 150 pilgrims.
The decision to allow international flights has been taken to appease the international airlines operating in Pakistan, as they were somewhat upset over this ban that forbade them to carry pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and vice verse.
Talking to a private channel, Malik Subah Sadiq Director General FIA Immigration Department said that a ban on Pakistani pilgrims flying with international airlines has been lifted with immediate effect on federal government directives.
Now pilgrims holding international airlines’ tickets will be able to board on the airways of their choice.
