The airport administration has recommended delaying the deadline for making NADRA-linked digital vaccination card mandatory for Umrah pilgrims at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

In a letter sent by the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Jinnah International Airport Muhammad Qasim to the Airport Health Officer, it is stated that according to the letter dated September 7 of the Airport Health Office, NADRA-linked digital vaccination cards were to be made mandatory for international passengers from September 14 (Monday), while only one dispensary facility has been allocated for this purpose.

The letter states that the Pakistan Airports Authority supports public health measures, however implementation of this directive without adequate advance notification, operational coordination and required communication between various agencies may pose serious administrative and operational risks at Jinnah International Airport.

According to the letter, in the functional control committee meeting held on September 7, the concerned parties informed about the concerns arising from the implementation of this directive, while the chairman of the airport operations committee also requested to consider these concerns properly on September 11.

Pakistan Airports Authority has recommended that the deadline for making digital vaccination card mandatory be postponed to at least 1st October 2026 so that a workable and effective procedure can be finalized for passengers in collaboration with all concerned agencies.

It should be noted that the authority under the Federal Ministry of Health has set the condition of polio and additional vaccination only for Umrah passengers from Karachi Airport, which is likely to cause problems not only for Umrah pilgrims but also for airlines.