**Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Polio Eradication at Global Monitoring Meeting**
A high-level Pakistani government delegation has reiterated the country’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio, during a crucial meeting with the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Geneva. The team outlined Pakistan’s recent progress and detailed the strategies being implemented to overcome remaining barriers, as the nation remains one of only two countries worldwide where polio is still endemic.
The IMB, an independent group of global health experts, convened to review global progress in the fight against polio, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by Pakistan and Afghanistan—the last two countries where the virus persists in transmission. Pakistan’s delegation included the State Minister of Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, chief secretaries from the provinces and representatives from the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication.
In his address, Dr. Bharath emphasized Pakistan’s recognition of its pivotal role in tackling both global and regional threats posed by polio. He stated that despite complex challenges and competing national priorities, polio eradication remains a ‘consensus national mission’ under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He pointed to a revitalized government-wide approach supporting all provinces and territories, reaffirming the Ministry of Health’s full backing to close remaining immunization gaps.
“Our teams have exhibited extraordinary urgency and dedication over the past year—strengthening supervision, accountability, and community engagement, especially with frontline health workers,” Dr. Bharath said. He expressed confidence that this cohesive effort would help the country overcome the final hurdles in its path toward a polio-free status.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, outlined the significant gains made under the National Emergency Action Plan 2024-25. She highlighted enhanced inter-provincial coordination, rigorous government oversight, targeted district campaigns, and improved surveillance as key measures behind the recent containment of polio. Notably, no polio cases have been detected this year in Karachi, Quetta, or Peshawar, reflecting successful high-quality vaccination campaigns and rising immunity among children in these high-risk areas.
However, Raza Farooq cautioned that continued detection of poliovirus in environmental samples underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance and ensuring universal vaccination coverage, particularly in regions susceptible to vaccine hesitancy and population mobility. She described intensified collaboration with law enforcement, district officials, local communities, and the national Expanded Programme on Immunization to strengthen outreach and build community trust, especially in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to defeat poliovirus,” Raza Farooq asserted. “With unprecedented government ownership, political and security support, and coordinated action led by dedicated provincial leaders, we remain confident of overcoming the latest resurgence and achieving a polio-free future.”
The IMB, in response, commended Pakistan’s high-level political commitment and comprehensive approach. The Board will release a detailed report with recommendations, as part of its ongoing mandate to assess and guide global efforts aimed at eradicating polio.
The IMB regularly engages with governments from both polio-endemic and at-risk countries, reviewing data, identifying challenges, and providing strategic guidance with the goal of achieving a world free of polio.
