Umrah pilgrims departing from Karachi now have until September 25 to obtain digitally verified vaccination certificates, after authorities extended the original September 14 deadline to give airport officials more time to implement the new system.
The extension follows a request from the management of the Jinnah International Airport which had asked Border Health Services to defer the mandatory rollout until at least October 1, citing concerns over coordination among the multiple agencies involved.
Dr Syed Murtaza Shah Bukhari, focal person for Border Health Services Pakistan, confirmed the extension to Arab News on Monday, stating that manual vaccination certificates will remain valid until September 25.
The new system links vaccination records with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), making certificates digitally verifiable. Saudi Arabia requires Umrah pilgrims to meet vaccination requirements that vary according to their country of origin and health risk category.
In a letter to the Airport Health Officer, Acting Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Qasim said implementing the directive without sufficient notice, operational alignment and multi-agency coordination would pose severe operational risks at the airport.
He added that the additional time would allow authorities to finalize a practical, passenger-friendly implementation strategy in coordination with all stakeholders. Qasim also noted that only one dispensary is currently available for issuing digital vaccination cards.
Border Health Services said Karachi will be the first Pakistani airport to introduce the integrated digital certification system, before it is expanded to other international airports and border entry and exit points across the country.
The department clarified that the change affects only how vaccination status is certified and does not introduce any new vaccination requirements.
Existing requirements will continue to depend on a traveller’s destination, route and category of travel. Current certification procedures will remain in place at other Pakistani airports until the digital system is introduced there.
