Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stressed the need to accelerate efforts to eradicate polio from the country.

Presiding over a meeting of the Anti-Polio Task Force in Islamabad, the prime minister expressed the resolve that despite challenges, the government will soon achieve the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.

“We are committed to protecting every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

He called for dedicated efforts to ensure that every child across the country receives multiple doses of the polio vaccine to stay protected.

The prime minister acknowledged the significant progress in the fight against polio due to the dedication of frontline workers, the commitment of the government of Pakistan, and support from the local and international partners.

He praised the efforts and cooperation of provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and law enforcement agencies in the anti-polio campaign.

“The safety of polio workers is our top priority,” he said, adding that all stakeholders, including provincial governments, must intensify their efforts to eradicate polio.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to all partners supporting the government in its polio eradication efforts.

He extended special thanks to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for his comprehensive support of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.

The prime minister also appreciated the vital and commendable role of the Gates Foundation and all partners in the anti-polio campaign in Pakistan.

The meeting was informed that specific polio campaigns were being designed for each district in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, based on the unique challenges faced in each area, to ensure complete eradication of the polio virus.

The anti-polio campaign in Pakistan is not only targeting polio cases among children but also working to eliminate the virus’s environmental presence.

The meeting was attended by the chair of the Anti-Polio Oversight Board, Dr Christopher Elias, who is also the President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Besides members of the Board, Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director, World Health Organization (WHO); Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director, UNICEF; Dr Ziad Memish, Representative of KS Relief, Saudi Arabia; Mike McGovern, Rotary International; and Aziz Memon, Trustee, Rotary International, also attended the meeting.

Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, National Coordinator for Polio Eradication and other senior government officials were also present in the meeting.