Lahore, Pakistan – Web Desk: Over 250 Pakistani Umrah pilgrims are stranded in hotels in Lahore after a Saudi airline abruptly canceled their flight despite issuing boarding passes. The pilgrims, who had booked costly tickets totaling millions of rupees, were initially at Allama Iqbal International Airport before being moved to various hotels.
The pilgrims reported that the flight to Jeddah, scheduled for Wednesday, was canceled at the last minute due to a technical issue with the aircraft. Pilgrims in ihram expressed frustration as they have been waiting for three days with no response from airline officials. Attempts to contact the Pakistan Airport Authority and the airline have so far yielded no resolution.
Many pilgrims highlighted that their scheduled accommodations in Makkah and Madinah are at risk due to the delay. They also raised concerns that during Ramadan, hotel capacity in Saudi Arabia is limited, which could affect their stay upon arrival. Some pilgrims were traveling in groups, and the disruption has affected entire group itineraries.
Pilgrims have demanded immediate action against the airline and assistance to reach Jeddah promptly so they can perform Umrah as planned.
This incident marks a significant disruption for Pakistani Umrah travelers and highlights concerns regarding airline reliability during peak pilgrimage seasons.
