Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has once again jacked up Umrah flight fares by up to Rs10, Geo News reported.

“This hike is demand driven as it is the peak season”, said a spokesman for the national flag carrier.

It must be noted that at the start of the season, PIA’s Umrah fare for flights operating from Karachi was Rs58,000, which after Tuesday’s raise now stands at Rs70,000.

Similarly the fare for Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar Umrah flights has jumped to Rs77,000 form a previous Rs66,000.

According to travel agents, PIA’s fares are higher than all the other airlines operating in Pakistan.

“Pilgrims are forced to have themselves happily fleeced at the hands of PIA because they don’t want to see their short-duration Umrah visas expiring waiting for the cheaper flights”, said a travel agent.

The PIA mouthpiece further said that the ticketing system automatically readjusted the fares according to the demand, adding he said the fares would come down as the season loses steam.