Pakistan Removes Mandatory COVID Vaccination Certificate for Hajj Pilgrims

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, through its official Twitter handle, has announced the removal of the mandatory Covid vaccination certificate requirement for next year's Hajj pilgrims in Pakistan.

The ministry confirmed the abolition of the obligation to present a Covid vaccination certificate for Hajj pilgrims in 2024.

https://twitter.com/MORAisbOfficial/status/1731696746160439670?

In a noteworthy development, the number of applicants for the government's Hajj scheme has reached an unprecedented low, as disclosed by sources.

Within a span of six days, only 6,000 applications from intending pilgrims have been received by the country's 15 designated banks, according to insider information. The deadline for submitting Hajj applications is December 12, 2023, and a total of 89,605 Pakistani citizens are expected to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage through the government's Hajj scheme.

In the event of applications surpassing the predetermined number of pilgrims, a balloting process will be implemented to determine the final list of participants.

Applicants are required to submit their applications using a Pakistani passport valid until December 16, 2024. Alternatively, applications can be processed using the token of the passport application.

Under the sponsorship scheme, the government has set a quota of 25,000 pilgrims for the religious journey, operating on a 'first-come, first-served' basis.

For its regular Hajj scheme, the government will conduct a balloting process to select intending pilgrims who have submitted their applications within the specified timeframe.