Pakistani Umrah Pilgrims
LAHORE: Hundreds of Pakistani Umrah pilgrims were denied clearance and offloaded from flights due to the absence of a polio vaccination certificate on Monday, citing sources. The enforcement of this requirement has resulted in significant travel disruptions for pilgrims across the country.
At Lahore Airport, several Saudi-bound passengers were unable to obtain boarding passes after failing to present the mandatory polio vaccination certificate. Similar incidents were reported at multiple airports nationwide, where hundreds of pilgrims were offloaded from their flights within the past 24 hours due to non-compliance with the vaccination requirement.
Saudi Arabia has made polio vaccination a mandatory prerequisite for Umrah pilgrims traveling from Pakistan, reinforcing its public health regulations.
The process of obtaining a polio vaccination certificate, however, has proven to be a challenge for many travelers. While oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops are readily available at public health facilities, the certification process remains cumbersome.
According to health authorities, only District Health Officers (DHOs) are authorized to update vaccination records in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system. This limitation has created substantial delays, as DHOs face an overwhelming influx of requests for certification, further complicating the situation for travelers.
Pilgrims and travel agents have expressed concerns over the delays, emphasizing that many travelers are unaware of the new requirements or struggle to complete the certification process in time for their flights. Calls for streamlining the procedure have intensified as the demand for polio vaccination certificates continues to grow.
In contrast to the enforcement of polio vaccination requirements, Saudi authorities recently relaxed another health mandate. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the removal of the mandatory Neisseria meningitis vaccination requirement for Pakistani travelers heading to the kingdom for Umrah or Hajj.
The decision was communicated through a circular issued on Thursday to all airlines operating in Saudi airports, including private carriers. This measure reverses a directive issued last month that had mandated meningitis vaccinations for travelers from Pakistan and other countries.
Despite the relaxation of certain health regulations, the strict enforcement of polio vaccination requirements continues to pose challenges for Pakistani pilgrims. Authorities urge travelers to ensure they obtain the necessary certification well in advance to avoid disruptions.
