Saudi Arabia has introduced a mandatory requirement for travellers from Pakistan to present a polio vaccination certificate, adding another layer of complexity for those aspiring to travel abroad.
The directive, issued by the Kingdom’s civil aviation authority, also applies to travelers from Afghanistan, Kenya, Congo, and Mozambique. Violators risk legal action and severe penalties, officials warned.
The Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) clarified that transit passengers who remain in the airport for less than 12 hours are exempt from this regulation.
Read More: Pakistani Passport Among Weakest in Henley Index 2025
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last polio-endemic countries globally, reporting 69 cases in 2024. Balochistan recorded the highest numbers with 27 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 21. Sindh reported 19 cases, while Punjab and Islamabad each confirmed one case.
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme describes polio as an incurable disease that causes paralysis, with vaccination being the only means of protection for children under five. Despite nationwide campaigns, over 60% of children affected by polio in 2024 had missed routine immunisations.
Authorities recently launched a large-scale vaccination drive aiming to inoculate 44 million children, while a high-level committee was formed to strengthen coordination between vaccination programs.
Separately, immigration officials reported that 51 deported Pakistanis arrived in Karachi, and 30 passengers were offloaded from flights due to travel document irregularities.
