Umrah Vaccination Tender Scrapped Over Irregularities, Officials Arrested

The federal government has scrapped the Umrah vaccination tender for pilgrims and overseas travellers after a high-level inquiry ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found serious flaws and alleged financial irregularities in a contract awarded by Border Health Services (BHS). Officials who floated the tender without the health ministry’s approval have been arrested, and a fresh tender will be issued within a month.

Why the Umrah Vaccination Tender Was Scrapped

The contract covered meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines given to Umrah pilgrims and Pakistanis travelling abroad for work. Under the new arrangement, travellers were being charged around Rs4,500, compared with about Rs1,250 per dose under the earlier rate, a jump that triggered complaints from pilgrims and questions from health experts.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, BHS set up its own procurement and grievance committees instead of following the ministry’s approved process. The ministry had formed a six-member procurement committee on May 9, but BHS formed a separate committee on June 10 and went ahead with the tender on its own, without properly informing the ministry.

Seven companies also challenged the bidding process in the Islamabad High Court, alleging irregularities in how the contract was awarded. Officials have also questioned whether the deal should have been handled under public procurement rules rather than public-private partnership regulations.

Inquiry Committee and Arrests

The prime minister ordered a five-member inquiry committee headed by the Cabinet Division secretary to examine the legal basis, approvals and justification of the contract. The committee included representatives of the Intelligence Bureau, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Attorney General’s Office.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that the officials behind the unauthorised tender have been arrested for bypassing the ministry’s oversight. He said he would not tolerate actions that undermine the ministry’s authority and that everyone who kept the ministry in the dark will be held accountable.

What the Umrah Vaccination Change Means for Travellers

The existing vaccination arrangement run through BHS for religious pilgrims and overseas job seekers has been suspended. Until the new system is in place, pilgrims and workers heading abroad have been advised to get their mandatory vaccinations arranged through their travel agents.

• Who is affected: Umrah pilgrims and Pakistanis travelling abroad for jobs who need meningitis and influenza vaccination.
• Old charge under the scrapped deal: around Rs4,500 per traveller.
• Earlier rate: about Rs1,250 per dose.
• Interim arrangement: vaccination through travel agents.
• New tender: to be issued within a month by the ministry’s central procurement committee.

Travellers with upcoming Umrah or work trips should confirm their vaccination plan with their agent well before the travel date, because Saudi Arabia requires the meningococcal vaccine for all Umrah pilgrims and the certificate is checked before departure.

Background: How the Issue Came to Light

Complaints first surfaced in September when pilgrims questioned why they were paying Rs4,500 for a package that included an influenza shot, which Saudi Arabia lists only as a recommendation rather than a mandatory requirement for Umrah. Public health experts asked the ministry to explain the fee structure, the vaccine supplier and the approval behind the charge. Vaccination counters for Umrah travellers were later suspended amid the procurement dispute, before the government formally cancelled the contract this week.

What Happens Next

The health ministry will re-advertise the tender through its central procurement committee, which is expected to bring the process back under direct ministry control. Officials say bidders will be asked to match the lower rate cited during the dispute. The outcome of the inquiry and the cases against the arrested officials will decide whether further action is taken against those involved. Updates on travel health requirements are available from the Ministry of National Health Services.

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