ISLAMABAD: Hoping for early eradication of polio in Pakistan, acting President Raza Rabbani said on Tuesday that the Zarb-i-Azb military operation had helped diminish the disease in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

“It is heartening to learn of the successes achieved in Fata in controlling polio virus which shows that the tide can be stemmed with perseverance and commitment,” he remarked while talking to a delegation of Rotary International representatives of ‘End Polio Now’ campaign led by International PolioPlus Committee Chairman Michael K. McGovern who called on him at the presidency.

The acting president said the Zarb-i-Azb operation had helped to extend the outreach for eradication of polio due to which additional 600,000 children have been administered polio vaccine in Fata.

He noted with appreciation that the law and order situation in Pakistan had now significantly improved and the visit of the Rotary delegation would enable them to witness the improved security situation in the country.

According to the official data, the number of polio cases has dropped drastically with only 12 cases registered in the current year against 54 in 2015 and 306 in 2014.

“The total number of polio cases has reduced substantively in Pakistan due to the efforts of the government and the country is likely to succeed in eradicating this menace very soon,” he said.

Mr Rabbani, who is chairman of the Senate, is presently serving as acting president as President Mamnoon Hussain is in Saudi Arabia to perform Umra.

The acting president said Pakistan was beholden to Rotary for massive resource mobilisation for polio eradication and looking forward to greater collaboration with Rotary for achieving the zero figure to mark elimination of polio from the country.

He assured Rotary of total commitment and sustained efforts from the federal and provincial governments to eliminate the polio menace.

Paying tribute to polio health workers, Mr Rabbani remarked that their commitment was unshakable despite loss of lives. He, however, said the workers had now been provided a wide security cover to facilitate them in their noble cause.

The acting president thanked Rotary International for supporting Pakistan’s cause at international forums and hoped that the collaboration would grow further between Pakistan and Rotary to achieve desired goals.

Michael K. McGovern briefed Mr Rabbani on the programmes and activities of Rotary International and said his organisation was supporting the Pakistani government not only for eradication of polio but also in increasing literacy and providing clean drinking water to the people.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2016