ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakis­tan’s commitment to eradicating polio, vowing to intensify efforts with the support of international, provincial, and local teams to achieve a polio-free country.

“We are committed to protect every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said while presiding over a meeting on polio eradication.

He stressed the need for “full dedi-cation and seriousness” to ensure every child receives multiple doses of the polio vaccine.

The prime minister acknowledged significant progress in the fight against polio, crediting frontline workers, government commitment, and support from partners.

He praised the cooperation of provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and law enforcement agencies in the anti-polio campaign, emphasising, “The safety of polio workers is our top priority.”

In meeting with Polio Oversight Board delegation, health minister claims country will soon be polio-free

The premier expressed gratitude to all partners, extending special thanks to Saudi Crown Prince Mo­­hammed bin Salman for his co­­m­prehensive support, and lauded the Gates Foundation’s “vital and commendable role” in the campaign.

During the briefing, officials said specific polio campaigns are being designed for each district in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tailored to local challenges, to ensure complete eradication of the virus.

The campaign also targets the virus’s environmental presence.

‘Polio-free Pakistan’

Separately, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told a high-level Polio Ov­ersight Board delegation that Pakistan will soon be polio-free, as the country is utilising all state resources to achieve the goal.

“Our health workers have sacrificed their lives in this fight against polio, which is testament to our unwavering commitment,” Mr Kamal said.

Mr Kamal briefed the delegation on ongoing eradication efforts, challenges, and the strategic way forward, emphasising that polio eradication remains a top national priority.

He noted that poliovirus remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are considered a single epidemiological block.

“We are conducting synchronised campaigns to prevent cross-border transmission and are giving special attention to mobile and migratory populations. Our goal is for both Pakistan and Afghanistan to achieve polio-free status simultaneously,” he said.

So far this year, 14 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan: eight from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Bal­tistan. Islam­abad, Balochistan, and Azad Jam­mu and Kashmir remain polio-free.

Last year, 74 cases were reported nationwide.

Syed Irfan Raza also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025