ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar called upon every section of society to play role in complete eradication of polio virus from country. He said everyone would have to participate in this sacred task to ensure safe and healthy future of children.

Chairing meeting of National Task Force for eradication of polio here, he directed concerned authorities to engage religious scholars, teachers, parents and all stakeholders to become part of polio awareness campaign in country. He directed to ensure security of polio workers during anti-polio campaign.

Expressing satisfaction over significant drop of polio cases in country, he vowed to continue efforts till complete uprooting of this crippling disease from country.

Nation would celebrate day when every child of country would be completely safe from this disease, he said. It was fact that all religious scholars including Imam-e-Kaaba had declared polio vaccine absolutely safe and very necessary for future of children without disabilities.

PM Kakar expressing concern over reports of polio virus in three districts of country, directed to run special anti-polio campaign in areas where polio virus had been reported.

“We are grateful to international partners for their active participation and key support in Pakistan’s National Polio Programme,” he added.

Meeting was informed that compared to 20 cases reported in country in 2022, only two cases had been reported this year, which was mainly due to continuation of anti-polio campaigns at national level.

He appreciated Ministry of Health, National Task Force, provincial governments and administration and law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts in eradicating polio virus from country.

All provincial chief ministers and chief secretaries informed meeting about current situation of provinces and the government efforts. Meeting was also informed that Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir had been completely free from polio virus, however two cases were reported in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan also attended meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 03 2023

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