Tue, 21-Oct-2025

PM Shehbaz chairs high-level meeting on polio eradication

PM Shehbaz chairs high-level meeting on polio eradication

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed government’s firm commitment to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting of the Polio Eradication Task Force, which was attended by key members including the Chairman of the Polio Oversight Board and Dr. Christopher Elias from the Bill & Melinda Gates … Read more

Raises concern over rising polio cases in Sindh

Raises concern over rising polio cases in Sindh

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has voiced concern over the rising number of polio cases in Sindh and has instructed authorities to submit a detailed report on families refusing vaccinations, according to the health ministry. Official data shows that Pakistan has reported six polio cases in the first three months of 2025, with four cases … Read more

Saudi Arabia reaffirms $500 million commitment to polio eradication efforts

Raises concern over rising polio cases in Sindh

Saudi Arabia has reiterated its pledge of $500 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to help eliminate wild polio and control vaccine-derived polio outbreaks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday. Originally pledged in April 2024, these funds will be directed toward efforts to eradicate the wild strain … Read more

Concerns rise as three polio samples test positive

Polio virus detected in sewage of 14 districts across Pakistan

Three out of five environmental samples collected during the recent anti-polio campaign tested positive for the polio virus, indicating the disease’s ongoing presence in the district. In response, health officials have announced a new anti-polio drive scheduled for April, focusing on vaccinating children from migrant families to limit the virus’s spread. Despite these concerns, the … Read more

More than 34,000 children vaccinated in snowbound Kohistan areas

Over 34,000 children vaccinated in snowbound Kohistan areas

The Upper Kohistan administration announced on Friday that anti-polio drops had been successfully administered to children in the district’s snowbound regions. “Our vaccination teams have reached snow-covered areas as part of the ongoing campaign, administering polio drops to 681 out of the 763 targeted children,” Upper Kohistan Deputy Commissioner Tariq Ali Khan told. He stated … Read more

Policeman martyred in attack on anti-polio team in KP

Policeman martyred in attack on anti-polio team in KP

A policeman was martyred when unidentified attackers opened fire on an anti-polio vaccination team in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday. The attack coincided with the launch of Pakistan’s first nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year, which aims to immunize 45 million children across the country. The incident occurred on the opening day of the … Read more

Role of Ulema inevitable to eradicate polio: PM Kakar

Ulema
  • He said people, who call polio vaccine un-Islamic are ill-fated.
  • President urged Ulema to follow guiding Islamic principle.
  • Dr Arif Alvi thanked donors on behalf of entire nation.

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar calling the anti-vaxxer ill-fated people, urged the Ulema to stand against those spreading negative propaganda against the polio vaccine to make Pakistan achieve the goal of becoming a polio-free nation.

“The people, who call polio vaccine un-Islamic are ill-fated. You have to stand with us against such people. This is our collective fight. We owe it to our future generation,” the prime minister said addressing the National Ulema Conference on Polio Eradication here.

Attended by the Ulema from different schools of thought, cabinet members, diplomats and donors, the conference featured the adoption of a declaration that rejected the baseless propaganda against the polio vaccine and assured the Ulema’s all-out support to the government in its fights against the crippling virus.

He thanked the donors and supporters on behalf of the entire nation for their assistance to Pakistan in its fight against polio, reiterating the country’s resolve to eliminate the disease without showing any laxity. “I feel ashamed when I see a polio-crippled child because we put him in a situation that could have been avoided,” he remarked.

He urged the Ulema to follow the guiding Islamic principle of probing before believing any notion in the case of polio vaccine as well as it would enhance the effectiveness of their message from the pulpit.

He said the real challenge was to convey the message to pulpits in the remote areas and at the grassroots level. Coming to the Gaza situation and the killing of around 9,000 children by Israeli forces, he called it a sheer failure of humanity as instead of being declared a criminal, the killer was claiming to be a leader.

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Atmanzai Jirga announces joint campaign with Pak Army against polio in N. Waziristan

Atmanzai jirga polio

The Atmanzai Jirga in North Waziristan on Sunday announced to run a joint campaign with the Pakistan Army and government to eradicate polio in the region. The Atmanzai Jirga, comprised of trusted and seasoned leaders, recognized the gravity of the situation and, in a pivotal announcement, pledged to work hand in hand with the authorities. … Read more

Poliovirus detected in three environmental samples

Poliovirus found in sewage samples of eight districts

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples collected from three districts in Pakistan. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the virus was detected in samples taken from Hub and Peshawar, and genetic testing of the virus found in the Lahore sample is still in progress. The spokesperson noted that … Read more

Govt fully committed to polio eradication measures: PM Kakar

polio
  • Prime Minister Kakar met Bill Gates on sidelines of UNGA.
  • PM expressed optimism to stop poliovirus transmission.
  • Gates reiterated that polio eradication in Pakistan was top priority.

NEW YORK: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar underscored that the caretaker government and the National Polio Task Force remained fully committed to reaching children nationwide with polio vaccines, routine immunizations, and other essential health services.

The prime minister met Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss polio eradication, gender equality, nutrition, and financial inclusion, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

He expressed optimism that stopping poliovirus transmission in every area of the country remained possible this year.

Gates reiterated that polio eradication in Pakistan was a top priority, with particular interest in stopping cross-border transmission with Afghanistan and continuing vaccination campaigns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

He also expressed his confidence in the National Emergency Operations Centre and the caretaker government to continue ongoing efforts for ending poliovirus transmission.

Gates also shared his appreciation for the prime minister’s support in scaling up innovations and proven approaches to nutrition and improving financial inclusion efforts in Pakistan.

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GPEI strategy committee meets Pakistan’s health officials

GPEI

Aidan O’Leary, the Global Director for Polio Eradication at the World Health Organization (WHO), had a meeting with Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan during the visit of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) Strategy Committee. This marked the first interaction between high-ranking GPEI representatives and the interim government. At the Health Ministry meeting, Dr. … Read more

Polio: Meeting called against rising virus samples in Lahore

Polio Lahore

Lahore DC Rafia Haider has called an emergency meeting of all concerned authorities after polio virus was confirmed in the environmental samples in the city. In the meeting, emergency measures will be finalized for the prevention of citizens against this disease. The health department remains determined to face challenges affecting the citizens of Pakistan. A … Read more

PM appreciates Bill Gates over his foundation’s services in Pakistan

PM Bill Gates talk

PM Shehbaz, Bill Gates hold telephone conversation. Discussed public health and sector programs. Bill Gates praised PM Shehbaz’s leadership and Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday appreciated Bill Gates for the services of his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in Pakistan. Co-chair of the BMGF and PM Shehbaz held … Read more

PM Shehbaz reiterates commitment to eradicate all forms of polio

PM women
  • PM had a telephone call with Co-Chair of the BMGF Bill Gates.
  • He appreciated the valuable support extended by the BMGF.
  • Shehbaz Sharif said no polio cases was reported since Sep 2022.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Pakistan remained committed to ending all forms of polio in the country.

The prime minister had a telephone call with Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates.

The prime minister appreciated the valuable support extended by the BMGF to Pakistan in polio eradication and improving immunisation, nutrition and financial inclusion, particularly during the recent floods.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen the fruitful partnership with the Foundation in all the ongoing areas of cooperation.

While expressing concern over reporting of new cases in 2022 after one year without any polio case, he noted that there had been a pause in polio cases since September 2022.

In light of the last year’s devastating floods, which had adversely affected the ongoing polio vaccination efforts due to large-scale displacements and destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the prime minister emphasized that the government was actively implementing the special emergency response plan and would continue to find and adopt ways to reach out to children in such times.

He apprised Gates of the efforts of the federal minister for national health services and his team to eradicate polio from the country and appreciated those efforts.

Both sides also discussed other government-led programmes, supported by the BMGF, to address malnutrition and stunting, essential immunization services, micropayment gateway RAAST, and digitalization of the National Savings Programme.

Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio, while reiterating his Foundation’s continued support to Pakistan in its aim to ensure that no child would be at risk of paralysis due to poliovirus.

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Seven-day anti-polio campaign continues in Balochistan

anti-polio balochistan

Seven-day anti-polio campaign continues in Balochistan Security personnel have been deployed for the workers 127,000 children will be vaccinated for the desease QUETTA: The seven-day anti-polio drive that kicked off in Balochistan two days back is continuing on the third day with workers determined to vaccinate approx. 127,000 children across the province. According to the … Read more

Anti-polio campaign 2023 kicks off across Pakistan

anti-polio balochistan

Anti-polio campaign kicks off across Pakistan The drive will continue till January 20 The drive will immunize 44.2 million children ISLAMABAD: The first nationwide anti-polio campaign of the year kicked off today across the country, said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health. According to details, the anti-polio campaign started across the country today to … Read more

Polio campaign will start on Jan 16 in all 34 districts of Balochistan

Polio campaign Balochistan

Anti polio campaign to kick off in Balochistan on Jan 16 The campaign will cover all districts of the province The drive will continue for 7 days QUETTA: Coordinator Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Balochistan Syed Zahid Shah has said that Anti Polio campaign will start on Monday in all 34 districts of Balochistan. All preparations … Read more

World Polio Day: Aseefa urges parents to support vaccination campaign

polio

KARACHI: Ambassador for Polio Eradication Aseefa Bhutto Zardari requested all parents to support the government in its effort toward polio eradication. On the occasion of World Polio Day 2022, she said the recent polio cases in Pakistan are a threat to future generations and children can be saved from childhood diseases like polio through vaccination. “We … Read more

LHWs threaten boycott ahead of anti-polio campaign in Sindh

Polio campaign Balochistan

KARACHI: The anti-polio campaign received a setback as healthcare workers have decided to boycott the campaign in flood-affected areas for not receiving health risk allowance. The Government of Sindh has decided to launch a week-long anti-polio campaign from October 24. The campaign aims to administer the vaccine to over 6.5 million children under the age … Read more

Two policemen killed guarding polio team in Tank

polio team tank

PESHAWAR: Two police personnel deployed on polio campaign duty were martyred in Tank city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when unidentified men opened fire. The incident happened in Kot Azam, Tank district within the limits of Gomal police station. The attacked managed to escape on motorcycles after the incident. The police constables were identified as Pir Rehman … Read more

PM Shehbaz, Bill Gates discuss polio eradication in Pakistan

Bill Gates polio

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday spoke on the telephone with philanthropist Bill Gates and discussed the polio eradication programme in Pakistan. The prime minister has reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in all ongoing areas of cooperation. They discussed the ongoing public health including polio … Read more

Pakistan reports 14th polio case in North Waziristan

North Waziristan has been the hotbed of polio virus.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported another case of wild polio, making it the fourteenth case to be reported in the country this year. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination confirmed that another child has been paralyzed by poliovirus. At least 13 of the reported cases belong to North Waziristan. The southern districts of … Read more

Anti-polio campaign begins in 25 high-risk areas

Pakistan has reported 11 polio cases this year.

KARACHI: An anti-polio campaign started across the country on Monday (today) to administer the polio vaccine to children up to five years of age. The campaign will start in all four provinces, covering 25 very high-risk districts for polio. Over 100,000 trained health workers will be engaged in the drive to inoculate children. In Punjab, … Read more