KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has emphasised that eradicating polio requires a joint effort by parents, society, the media and the government.

“If we all work together, we can save our children from paralysis and secure a healthier future for Pakistan,” he told a meeting of the Provincial Polio Task Force held at the CM House on Friday.

The meeting examined current epidemiological trends, campaign performance and took key decisions for the upcoming week-long immunisation campaign scheduled from Feb 2.

The CM was informed that out of the 29 environmental surveillance sites, 11 tested positive for polio, five tested negative, and results from 13 sites are awaited.

80,000 volunteers to cover 1,490 UCs across Sindh in week-long immunisation drive starting next week

The country reported 74 polio cases in 2024, 31 in 2025, and zero cases so far in 2026, while Sindh recorded 23 cases in 2024, nine in 2025, and zero cases in 2026, the meeting was informed.

The meeting decided that an integrated digital, social and mass media outreach strategy would be implemented and that the campaign would adopt a “one monitor-one union council” approach to ensure ownership and continuity.

Highlighting the importance of media, the chief minister said he had already written two letters to media outlets, requesting them to begin every news bulletin with a few words on polio awareness.

The chief minister described the continued presence of the poliovirus across the province a matter of concern. “It is alarming that the poliovirus exists in many parts of Sindh. Parents must ensure that their children receive polio drops in every campaign.”

The upcoming campaign will be covering 1,490 UCs across 30 districts during which oral polio vaccine drops will be administered to a total of 10.5 million children, including 8.9m children under the age of five years.

According to officials, over 80,000 frontline workers will be deployed, supported by over 21,000 law enforcement personnel, including over 1,000 female police constables.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Local Government Secretary Waseem Shamshad and Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026