PM Shahbaz Sharif Reaffirms Commitment to a Polio-Free Pakistan

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate polio from Pakistan, stressing the importance of collective action in defeating the disease.

“We will not rest until we have permanently defeated polio,” the prime minister stated while presiding over a meeting focused on polio eradication efforts. He lauded the dedication of the government’s polio team and instructed National Health Coordinator Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Polio Focal Person Ayesha Raza Farooq, and the Secretary of National Health to conduct visits to high-risk areas to further strengthen the campaign’s reach.

To ensure accountability and assess campaign effectiveness, the prime minister directed a third-party audit of the anti-polio initiative. He further emphasized the need for a robust strategy to close immunity gaps, particularly in areas with lower immunization coverage.

In a detailed briefing, officials reported 41 active polio cases nationwide, with 25 cases in regions where routine immunization coverage remains inadequate. The data also indicated that areas with higher vaccination rates experienced significantly reduced polio transmission.