No Polio Case Reported in the Country Since February 10: Polio Eradication Review Meeting

During a review meeting on polio eradication chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was revealed that not a single polio case has been reported in the country since February 10.

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two countries in the world where polio still exists at the local level. The disease primarily affects children under the age of five and can sometimes cause lifelong disability.

Despite global efforts to eradicate polio, challenges such as security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation continue to hinder progress.

In 2024, a total of 74 polio cases were reported across the country: 27 in Balochistan, 23 in Sindh, 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the review meeting on polio eradication was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The meeting was attended by Federal 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 of all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as senior officials and representatives of international partners.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister stated that the efforts of relevant government institutions, international organizations, and partners to make Pakistan polio-free are commendable. He emphasized that every child under five must be administered the polio vaccine.

Shehbaz Sharif also directed the authorities to ensure 100% nationwide delivery of routine immunizations alongside the polio campaign to protect against other dangerous diseases. He stressed the importance of grassroots awareness and community mobilization for the anti-polio drive.

He said that polio workers are playing a frontline role in this fight against the deadly disease despite challenging circumstances, and that the entire nation, including himself, is proud of these dedicated workers.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the upcoming anti-polio campaign starting on the 21st, during which 4.5 million children will be administered the polio vaccine, with 415,000 polio workers participating in the nationwide drive.

It was further informed that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, third-party validation of the campaign will be completed from April 28 to 30.

Sharing the results of recent polio campaigns in the country, it was reported that no new polio case has been recorded since February 10, 2025. Cold chain tracking of the anti-polio campaigns is now being monitored through a digital system.