Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating polio in Pakistan during a meeting focused on the country’s polio eradication efforts. He emphasised the necessity of unified action, stating, “We will not rest until we have permanently defeated polio.”
During the meeting, the PM commended the government’s polio team for their ongoing efforts in combating the disease.
He instructed Coordinator for National Health, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Polio Focal Person Ayesha Raza Farooq, and the Secretary of National Health to visit the most affected areas identified during the recent polio campaign.
PM Shehbaz also ordered a third-party audit of the anti-polio campaign to ensure transparency and efficacy. He stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy to address the existing immunity gap among the population.
The meeting provided a briefing on recent polio cases and the overall status of the polio eradication campaign. Currently, Pakistan has 41 active polio cases, with 25 of these cases occurring in individuals who have not received adequate routine immunisation coverage.
The briefing underscored that polio transmission rates are significantly lower in areas with higher vaccination rates, highlighting the importance of continued vaccination efforts.
The development comes as the nationwide campaign to administer polio drops to children under five years of age started on Monday.
The campaign, scheduled from October 28 to November 3, aims to reach children across 71 affected districts, with an additional dose of vitamin A to boost immunity.This is Pakistan’s third national campaign this year, prompted by 41 reported cases, with Balochistan reporting 21 cases, Sindh 12, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 6, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Polio remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, underscoring the urgency of achieving nationwide immunization to protect future generations.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday) to attend the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) being held in Riyadh from October 29 to 30.
The premier will be accompanied by key cabinet ministers, according to a curtain raiser issued by the Foreign Office.
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) serves as an important platform for countries to showcase their economic strength, draw foreign investments, and engage in dialogue to shape a sustainable future.
This year’s FII is themed “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow” and will focus on global investments aimed at addressing major issues such as artificial intelligence, robotics, education, energy, space, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.
PM Shehbaz is expected to hold important bilateral talks with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials.
The two sides will discuss the economic and strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh and explore bilateral cooperation in the economic, energy, and defence domains.
The premier is also expected to engage with participating leaders and entrepreneurs at the conference.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked several memorandums of understanding (MoUs), worth over $2 billion, to boost bilateral trade and investment during the Islamabad visit of a Saudi delegation, headed by Minister for Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih.
The Khalid-led delegation comprised Saudi companies from various sectors including construction, engineering, financial services, IT, hospitality, agriculture, food, energy, and petroleum are part of the visiting delegation.
The agreements include a $70 million investment in the agriculture sector, the establishment of advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, the establishment of a textile industry, a white oil pipeline project, an MoU for exploring investment opportunities, a hybrid power project, development of transformer manufacturing facilities in both the countries, cyber security measures for customers and businesses, and the export of spices and vegetables from Pakistan.
Additionally, the agreements outline the establishment of a manufacturing facility for surgical and dental equipment and collaboration on the federal government’s E-Taaleem and digitalisation programmes.
