The deadline for requiring a vaccination certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for Pakistani citizens travelling abroad has been extended to September 25. This extension comes after initial plans to enforce the rule from September 14 raised concerns among airport authorities and travelers.

Previously, on September 7, the Ministry of National Health Services notified the Pakistan Airports Authority that international passengers departing from all airports for Hajj or Umrah would need to present a NADRA-issued vaccination certificate starting September 14. However, Karachi airport officials recommended delaying this enforcement until at least October 1, cautioning that the abrupt implementation could disrupt airport operations significantly.

Meanwhile, passengers expressed difficulties in obtaining the vaccination certificate on short notice. In response, NADRA issued detailed guidelines on how to secure digital proof of vaccination after receiving the necessary immunizations.

the latest directive from the Ministry of National Health Services, travelers departing from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi must now provide proof of vaccination by September 25. This requirement specifically targets those traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, on work visas, or for stays exceeding six months.

Vaccinations mandated by the government at Saudi Arabia’s request include protection against influenza, meningitis, polio, and yellow fever. An official from a vaccination center confirmed that pilgrims and visitors traveling to Saudi Arabia on visit visas will be allowed to travel without the vaccination certificate until the extended deadline of September 25.

In a significant development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that while wild poliovirus has been eradicated globally by 2020, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries reporting cases. The most recent polio case in Pakistan was documented on September 11, involving an eight-month-old infant in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.