Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, on Saturday called for collective efforts to eradicate polio, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eliminating the preventable disease and protecting children across the country.
In a message marking World Polio Day, Sharif said Pakistan remained one of the few countries yet to achieve complete polio eradication, stressing the need for sustained vaccination campaigns and stronger public awareness.
He noted that frontline health workers continued to administer vaccines and educate communities despite difficult terrain and security challenges.
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The prime minister urged government institutions, community leaders, religious authorities, teachers, the media, parents and caregivers to work together to build public confidence in vaccination and ensure every child receives the necessary doses.
Sharif also expressed appreciation for the support of international partners, particularly the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and donor organisations, describing their contributions as crucial to ending poliovirus transmission.
He stressed that protecting children from polio required continued cooperation, effective vaccination programmes and public participation.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five and can cause permanent paralysis.
Although there is no cure, vaccination provides effective protection against the disease.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where wild poliovirus transmission has not been interrupted, making continued cross-border coordination and vaccination efforts essential to achieving global eradication.
