ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday announced that passengers flying into the country would no longer be required to take a previously mandatory COVID-19 negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
After a omicron-fueled fifth wave of the coronavirus gained momentum in the South Asian nation early this year, last month Pakistan made PCR testing mandatory for all passengers above 6 years of age.
Last month, Pakistan reported over 7,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day, its highest daily number of infections since the pandemic began, with the government imposing new restrictions to curb the fast-spreading omicron variant.
“With effect from 24 Feb 22, requirement of negative PCR report for passengers traveling to Pakistan has been abolished (for fully vaccinated travelers),” the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), which oversees the country’s pandemic response, said in a statement, adding that non-vaccinated individuals over 12 years would require a pre-boarding negative PCR.
“Passenger below 12 year of age are exempted from mandatory vaccination,” the NCOC statement read. “Passenger between 12-18 years of the age are allowed to travel without mandatory vaccination till 31st March 2022.”
The number of infections has been on the decline in the country for the past few weeks, with 1,232 new cases detected in the last 24 hours, and 43 deaths. The national positivity rate has also dropped to less than three percent.
Last week Pakistan eased COVID-19 restrictions for cities where the coronavirus positivity rate is below 10 percent.
Pakistan, with a population of 220 million, rolled out its vaccine campaign in February 2021, prioritizing health care workers and the elderly. It has since expanded its campaign to include the entire eligible population. Over 96 million Pakistanis were fully vaccinated as of Wednesday and over 1124 million had received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Pakistan scraps mandatory COVID-19 testing for inbound passengers
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Pakistan scraps mandatory COVID-19 testing for inbound passengers
- Passengers between 12-18 years allowed to travel without mandatory vaccination till March 31
- Last week Pakistan eased COVID-19 curbs in the country amid declining infection numbers
Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today
- Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
- Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.
The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.
“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.
According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.
Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.
The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.
It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.
Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.
