ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq on Thursday vowed to stop polio transmission during the ongoing calendar year. She said even a single case remained a threat and complacency over reduction in cases was not an option.

She was speaking at a media briefing at the National Coordinator, Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) ahead of Pakistan’s first National Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2026. The campaign will take place from Feb 2 to 8.

She said a total of 74 cases were reported in 2024 while 31 cases were reported in 2025, reflecting strengthened programme implementation, enhanced surveillance, and improved coordination between federal and provincial stakeholders.

“The decline in polio cases demonstrates that sustained political commitment, data-driven strategies, and coordinated field implementation are yielding results,” Ms Farooq said.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026