Islamabad, February 2, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday inaugurated the first nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year by administering polio drops to children under five.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the premier reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eliminating polio from the country. He emphasized that the nationwide vaccination drive, running from February 3 to 9, aims to protect millions of children and safeguard their future.
PM Shehbaz commended the dedication of vaccination teams, expressing confidence that they would work tirelessly, reaching remote villages and far-flung areas to fulfill this crucial national duty.
Reflecting on past challenges, he noted that 77 polio cases were reported in the previous year, posing a significant setback. However, he highlighted the progress made in 2025, with only one case recorded so far. Reiterating his resolve, the prime minister pledged to eradicate polio with the unwavering support of dedicated teams and international partners.
He also expressed hope for regional efforts to combat polio, particularly in Afghanistan, and acknowledged the vital role of international organizations and allies—including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Saudi Arabia—in supporting Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
Dr. Mukhtar Bharat, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on National Health Services, emphasized the government’s transparency in reporting polio cases to the international community. He credited the collective efforts of all stakeholders for the notable decline in cases this year.
Meanwhile, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Aysha Raza Farooq, called for public participation in the vaccination campaign. She urged parents to cooperate in ensuring their children receive the vaccine, reinforcing the message that polio eradication is a shared responsibility of society.
