Planning Minister Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign, Commits to Eradication
Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against polio, recording a dramatic decline in cases from 74 in 2024 to just four in 2026. Positivity rates in environmental surveillance samples have fallen below 10%. These progress reports were presented at a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on the National Taskforce for Polio Eradication, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal.
During the meeting, Iqbal formally launched the latest nationwide vaccination campaign, reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating polio. Of the four cases reported in 2026, three were concentrated in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the need for sustained efforts in high-risk areas.
Attending the gathering were Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, representatives from provincial governments, federating units, development partners, government departments, and relevant organizations. Participants included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Pakistan PolioPlus Committee, and Rotary.
In his opening remarks, Iqbal emphasized that polio eradication was a shared national responsibility tied to the health, dignity, and future of Pakistan's children. Noting that 118 countries have successfully eradicated polio, he highlighted the need for concerted action from all sectors to eliminate the virus in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only remaining endemic countries.
"Polio is not just a public health challenge; it’s a threat to the lifelong potential of affected children and their families," Iqbal said. Even one case meant that every unprotected child remained vulnerable while the virus circulated. He called for unified national action to reach zero polio, urging parents – especially mothers – to ensure all eligible children receive the vaccine:
“When a polio worker knocks on your door, do not ignore that knock. It is the knock of your child’s future. Those two drops can protect your child’s future.”
Iqbal also appealed to religious scholars, community leaders, and opinion makers to combat misinformation and build public confidence in vaccination. He strongly condemned any violence or intimidation against polio workers, calling for collective rejection of such acts. He further encouraged young people, including university students, to support community awareness efforts.