Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign for 2025 on Sunday, administering polio drops to children under five years old.
During the ceremony, PM Shehbaz reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating polio from the country. He emphasized that millions of children across the nation would benefit from the campaign, which aims to safeguard their health and future.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that dedicated teams would work tirelessly to reach remote areas, ensuring the success of the national effort.
He acknowledged the challenge posed by the 77 reported polio cases in the past year but noted that only one case had been reported this year, reinforcing the country’s determination to eliminate the disease with the support of international partners and collaborative teamwork.
He also expressed optimism that, with international coordination, polio could be eradicated in neighboring Afghanistan as well.
PM Shehbaz commended global partners, including WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their ongoing support in the fight against polio.
Dr. Mukhtar Bharat, PM’s Coordinator on National Health Services, highlighted the transparency of reporting last year’s cases and stressed the positive results from collective efforts. He credited the Prime Minister’s oversight for achieving the campaign’s success.
Aysha Raza Farooq, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, emphasized that the vaccination campaign requires the involvement of all sectors of society and urged parents to actively participate in protecting their children from polio.
