A high-level Rotary International delegation, led by President Francesco Arezzo, met with Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eliminate polio. The meeting reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to supporting the country in its fight against the disease, highlighting both recent achievements and ongoing challenges.
During the discussions, Ayesha Raza Farooq welcomed the delegation, expressing gratitude for Rotary’s longstanding partnership. She noted that the Rotary President’s visit to Pakistan underscores the organization’s deep dedication to the cause of polio eradication. Farooq shared positive updates, including improved quality of vaccination campaigns and a noticeable decline in polio cases compared to the previous year, particularly in the Quetta region. She also pointed out that the government remains highly committed at the political level to ensure all children are vaccinated.
However, Farooq acknowledged that certain areas, especially South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, continue to face significant challenges due to accessibility and security concerns. She conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s appreciation to Rotary for its unwavering support in overcoming these obstacles.
Rotary President Francesco Arezzo commended the efforts of Pakistan’s polio program leadership and praised Farooq’s role in advancing progress. He stressed the importance of global solidarity as international funding for polio eradication declines, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration to ensure Pakistan reaches the final stage of its eradication campaign.
The delegation included senior figures from Rotary, such as Holger Knaack, Chair of the Rotary Foundation; Mike McGovern, Chair of the International PolioPlus Committee; Aziz Memon, National Chair of the Pakistan PolioPlus Committee, and representatives from Rotary’s Islamabad Chapter.
