15-day extension granted for Umrah travel without vaccination

KARACHI: Umrah pilgrims have been given an additional 15 days to travel without completing the vaccination requirement, with the new deadline set for October 10.

Dr Murtaza Shah, the focal person, said the decision was taken to ease difficulties faced by pilgrims and provide better arrangements.

Five NADRA facilitation desks have been made available at the Karachi Airport dispensary, while vaccination services at the Jacob Lines dispensary are expected to begin next week.

At the same time, authorities have begun issuing digital vaccination certificates to Umrah pilgrims and people travelling abroad. However, the limited number of vaccination facilities in Karachi has created problems for passengers, with the Federal Dispensary near the Old Terminal currently serving a large number of travellers.

The facility has limited space, resulting in overcrowding and long waits. Some passengers said they arrived as early as 8am but were still waiting for their certificates, despite having international flights scheduled within hours.

Travellers are required to complete their registration through the NADRA Pak ID application, while those going abroad can also register through NADRA e-Sahulat centres. Influenza and meningitis vaccines remain compulsory for Umrah pilgrims.

The federal government has integrated the vaccination system with NADRA and moved certificates to a digital format in an effort to prevent fraudulent documentation.

The Health Ministry has advised travellers to visit vaccination centres around 10 days before departure, while passengers and pilgrims have called for additional centres and better facilities.