Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan has seen a sharp decline in polio cases — dropping from 74 in 2024 and 31 in 2025 to just four so far in 2026 — with positivity rates in environmental surveillance samples now below 10 percent.
The progress was reported during a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on the National Taskforce for Polio Eradication, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal. The Minister formally launched the latest round of the nationwide vaccination drive, reaffirming the government’s commitment to continue efforts until poliovirus transmission is fully eliminated.
Of the four cases recorded this year, three occurred in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the continued need for focused attention on remaining high-risk regions.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal; the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq; representatives from provincial governments and federating units; development partners; relevant government departments; and organizations including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Pakistan PolioPlus Committee, and Rotary.
In his opening remarks, Iqbal described polio eradication as a national duty tied directly to the health, dignity, and future of Pakistan’s children. He noted that of the 120 countries once affected by polio, 118 have successfully eliminated the virus, leaving Pakistan and Afghanistan as the only two remaining endemic countries.
He stressed that polio is not simply a public health issue but a threat to affected children’s lifelong potential and their families’ wellbeing, noting that even a single case means every unvaccinated child remains at risk as long as the virus continues to circulate.
Calling for unified national action to reach zero polio cases, Iqbal appealed directly to parents — particularly mothers — to ensure every eligible child receives vaccination, urging families not to turn away polio workers when they visit, since the two drops of vaccine represent protection for a child’s future.
He also called on religious scholars, community leaders, and public figures to help counter misinformation and build greater public trust in vaccination efforts, describing violence or intimidation against polio workers as deeply troubling and something that must be firmly rejected by society as a whole.
The Minister additionally urged young people, including university students, to get involved in community awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of providing children with a healthy, nurturing environment during their first five years of life — a critical period for mental development.
Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal praised the efforts of polio teams, provincial governments, and field workers, noting that while the four cases reported this year represent meaningful progress, the national campaign cannot conclude until Pakistan achieves zero poliovirus transmission.
A World Bank representative commended the substantial reduction in polio cases, while a UNICEF representative praised the leadership shown at federal, provincial, and district levels, describing the upcoming campaign — set to begin Monday — as a key opportunity to target the highest-risk areas and build on progress made so far.
Also read: Rwanda-Pakistan Trade Deal Marks Key Milestone, HC Fatou
Wrapping up the meeting, Iqbal said the results reflect a positive trajectory and demonstrate a whole-of-government commitment to making Pakistan polio-free. He emphasized that polio teams must be given full access to reach every child, with no area left outside the campaign’s coverage, and assured frontline workers that they would have the full backing of the government and the country’s security institutions in carrying out their duties.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
