ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicate poliovirus and make the country “polio-free.”
Addressing a ceremony held in the federal capital to mark World Polio Day, the premier vowed to resist those who spread misinformation against polio vaccination, emphasizing that the country will not back down from this mission, and it will remain an ongoing journey.
PM Kakar stated that those opposing polio vaccination were inadvertently supporting destructive forces and highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders and social influencers in countering anti-vaccination narratives.
Religious Leaders to Counter Anti-Polio Propaganda
He stressed the significance of the ongoing polio eradication efforts, noting that Pakistan’s progress is pivotal to global poliovirus eradication. PM Kakar expressed hope that Pakistan would be polio-free by the following year.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication of polio workers and security personnel, commending them as heroes who work tirelessly in challenging environments, overcoming social barriers, and facing threats to their safety.
Furthermore, World Health Organization (WHO) Pakistan representative Palitha Mahipala expressed optimism that Pakistan would soon eliminate this crippling disease as the number of paralysis cases had significantly decreased. However, it’s worth noting that the poliovirus was recently detected in environmental samples collected from various sites across the country.
The virus was found in multiple cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of positive environmental samples in Pakistan for 2023 to 54.
