ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has addressed several concerns of the United Kingdom on its COVID-19 data, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Tuesday, as Islamabad continues to mount a diplomatic offensive to exit Britain’s “red list” for travel.
The UK placed Pakistan and India on the list in April due to a surge in COVID-19 delta variant cases, though India was later upgraded to the “amber list” and its nationals were now required to provide proof of vaccination and negative virus test results after their arrival in the UK.
Pakistanis traveling to the UK are required to undergo a costly 10-day hotel quarantine because of Pakistan’s placement on the “red list”. Since last month, Islamabad has been engaged in a diplomatic offensive to get the country off the list.
Pakistan’s high commission in London expressed its “disappointment” over Britain’s decision to retain Pakistan on the list in the August 26 travel, while Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi took up the matter with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during his visit to Islamabad last week.
“On the red list, yesterday, Dr. Faisal (Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aide on health) had a detailed discussion with the UK’s chief medical scientist and we have removed their issues relating to data to much extent,” Hussain said at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday. “We hope that the British government will review its policy now.”
He said the matter relating to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on readmission between the UK and Pakistan had been postponed.
“A chartered plane wanted to fly to Pakistan from the UK and an exemption was being sought to allow entry to the said aircraft,” the minister said.
“But this has been delayed for the time being,” he said, mentioning Pakistan’s “issues” and “some of our demands” at present.
Last week, Bahrain removed Pakistan from its no-travel list. On May 24, the country had suspended arrivals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and others as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases.
Other countries removed from the list include India, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Pakistan addresses Britain’s concerns on COVID-19 data in bid to exit no-travel list — minister
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Pakistan addresses Britain’s concerns on COVID-19 data in bid to exit no-travel list — minister
- Chaudhry Fawad Hussain says signing of an MoU on readmission between the two countries postponed for now
- Hopes that the British government will review its policy
Pakistan reports decline in polio cases in 2025
- Cases drop to 30 from 74 in 2024, with no new infections recorded since September
- Authorities plan intensified targeted drives in 2026 to halt remaining transmission
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported a sharp decline in polio cases in 2025, with infections falling to 30 from 74 a year earlier, as intensified vaccination campaigns and improved surveillance helped curb the spread of the virus, health authorities said on Wednesday.
No new polio cases have been recorded anywhere in the country since September, said a statement, as Pakistan carried out six polio campaigns, including five nationwide drives, trying to reach children in high-risk areas and improve monitoring of virus circulation.
Despite the decline, the authorities cautioned that poliovirus continues to circulate in some districts, requiring sustained vigilance to prevent a resurgence.
“Targeted interventions, robust community engagement, and ongoing vaccination efforts remain essential to reach every missed child and prevent any resurgence,” the official statement said.
“Frontline health workers, security personnel, and local authorities continue to work in close coordination to maintain high immunity levels and ensure that Pakistan remains on course toward becoming polio-free,” it added.
The most recent nationwide campaign, conducted from Dec. 15 to 21, achieved more than 98 percent coverage across the country, including all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the capital, Islamabad.
Authorities reported an 18 percent reduction in the number of missed children compared with the previous round, with notable improvements in access and operations in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a longstanding challenge area.
Pakistan’s polio eradication drive relies on close coordination between health workers, security personnel and local authorities, amid ongoing resistance in some communities and access constraints in remote or insecure regions.
Officials said district-specific interventions, including improved microplanning, better deployment of vaccination teams and enhanced community outreach, were being used to address remaining gaps, particularly in parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The statement said Pakistan plans to intensify targeted efforts in 2026 to interrupt the remaining transmission chains and move closer to eliminating the disease.
