Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan. He made the remarks while meeting Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, in Islamabad.
The prime minister said the government is following a comprehensive strategy with practical measures and an effective team. He highlighted the importance of full coordination between federal and provincial authorities to ensure polio teams reach every child.
PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Saudi Arabia in the fight against polio. He noted that although Pakistan has made progress, emergency measures are still needed to fully eradicate polio.
According to the prime minister, projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) will continue to support nationwide polio eradication campaigns. He emphasized that ensuring accessibility and reaching remote areas remains a top priority.
Dr. Chris Elias praised the prime minister’s personal attention to polio campaigns and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts toward achieving full polio eradication. He stressed that continued consultation among federal, provincial governments, and relevant institutions is essential for success.
However, Pakistan’s last nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 did not reach its full target. Official sources reported that 98.6% of children were vaccinated, leaving nearly 900,000 unvaccinated. The campaign ran from December 15 to 21, 2025, but security concerns, refusals, and boycotts prevented complete coverage.
Sources revealed that 872,776 children remained unvaccinated. Among them, 669,326 children were not available during the campaign, 148,774 were missed due to security issues or boycotts, and 54,676 parents refused vaccination.
Experts say Pakistan must strengthen community engagement and address security challenges to successfully eradicate polio. Officials remain committed to reaching every child and ensuring no one is left behind in future campaigns.
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