Pakistani Pilgrims Face Issues Over Polio Vaccination Certificate

Saudi Arabia's new requirement for a valid polio vaccination certificate has left hundreds of Pakistani Umrah pilgrims stranded at airports, with 228 passengers denied boarding over the last 24 hours due to the absence of the mandatory document.

The move is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to ensure all travelers arriving in the Kingdom are vaccinated against polio, with the certificate needing to be obtained at least four weeks prior to departure. However, the process of obtaining the vaccination certificate in Pakistan has proven to be time-consuming, as only District Health Officers can update records in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system.

Many Umrah pilgrims were caught off guard by the new requirement, as vaccination certificates were previously not mandatory for Umrah travel. The sudden change has led to frustration among pilgrims, who had worked hard to save money for the pilgrimage and were now being told to buy new tickets. Heated arguments with airline staff were reported at airports, including Allama Iqbal International Airport, where over 100 pilgrims were denied boarding due to the absence of polio and COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

The rejected passengers will be allowed to return to their destinations, but their flight costs will not be reimbursed by the airline, adding to their financial burden. The situation highlights the need for clearer communication and more efficient processes for obtaining vaccination certificates, to avoid such disruptions to travelers in the future.