Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marked World Polio Day by pledging renewed commitment and focus to eradicate polio; urging parents to vaccinate children against the lifelong paralytic disease in every campaign
Islamabad, October 24, 2025 – On the occasion of World Polio Day, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif celebrated over 400,000 polio vaccinators working to protect millions of children against a lifelong paralytic disease. Prime Minister Sharif also emphasized that the country can and will eradicate the poliovirus, urging the whole nation to end this global public health threat.
During a ceremony held at PM’s House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the “extraordinary women and men” at the frontlines of Pakistan’s fight against polio, protecting more than 45 million children during multiple campaigns a year.
Thanks to these vaccinators and concerted efforts of the Government and partners, since 1994 Pakistan has reduced polio cases by a remarkable 99.6% – from an estimated 20,000 annual cases to 74 in 2024, and 30 so far this year.
“The services of polio workers reflect the very best of Pakistan’s strength and compassion. On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, I extend heartfelt appreciation to all frontline health workers, the true heroes of our nation, whose efforts continue to safeguard the health and dignity of our children,” he said.
As chief guest for the occasion, the Prime Minister awarded shields to 14 polio workers nominated by their respective province and region in recognition of their exceptional service and performance for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), which organized the event.
Despite progress, Prime Minister Sharif underlined that Pakistan must run the last mile to eradicate polio and called on parents to ensure that their children receive the vaccine against the lifelong paralytic disease during every campaign.
“World Polio Day reminds us of the tremendous progress Pakistan has made, and the responsibility that remains to protect every child from this preventable disease. Even a single case of polio means that our work is not yet done. Ending polio is therefore not just a public health goal; it is a national responsibility that must be achieved without fail,” he said, expressing the government’s full commitment to polio eradication.
In every national polio campaign, more than 400,000 polio workers, 60% of them women, go house to house across the country to bring the lifesaving vaccine to the doorsteps of every child.
Led by the Prime Minister, the World Polio Day event honored the contribution and services of these essential health workers in protecting Pakistan’s children from polio and securing a healthier future.
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Note for the Editor:
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two remaining polio endemic countries globally.
For further information, please contact: Mr. Syed Farhan Shah, Public Relations Officer, NEOC, +923165011808, syed.farhanshah1990@gmail.com.
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