Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on Thursday that, thanks to the efforts of nationwide anti-polio campaigns, Pakistan has not reported a single case of polio since February 10, 2025.
While presiding over a review meeting on polio eradication, the prime minister praised the dedication of government institutions, international partners, and supporting organizations working collectively to eliminate the disease from the country.
During the session, the prime minister instructed authorities to ensure maximum public awareness and community engagement for the upcoming anti-polio drive. He emphasized that every child under the age of five must receive the polio vaccine during the national campaign scheduled to run from April 21 to April 27.
In addition, he stressed the importance of fully implementing routine immunizations across the country to protect children against other life-threatening diseases.
Commending the resilience and commitment of those involved in the campaign, Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the frontline role played by polio workers, particularly under difficult conditions. He noted that their contributions are a source of national pride.
The meeting included a detailed briefing on the upcoming vaccination campaign, which aims to reach 4.5 million children with the support of 415,000 polio workers deployed across the country.
Officials also informed the prime minister that, following his directions, third-party validation of the campaign's outcomes will be conducted between April 28 and April 30.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that a digital system is in place to monitor the cold chain of vaccine storage and transportation.
The meeting was attended by Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Polio Ayesha Raza Farooq, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal, chief secretaries from all provinces, as well as representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, international partners, and other senior officials.