Daily Times

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday, vowing to resist the individuals propagating against the polio vaccination, resolved to achieve the dream of a polio-free Pakistan by carrying forward the journey with unshakeable commitment.

“I can assure that we gonna have it. We will realise this dream. We will never step back, may be an inch, may be a foot or may be a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey,” the prime minister said addressing a ceremony to mark the World Polio Day.

The event was organized by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on the World Polio Day, which is commemorated on October 24 every year. Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, representatives of polio partners Rotary, World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and frontline workers and their families were in attendance.

The prime minister said by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers, intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of darkness. He emphasised the role of faith leaders and the society to make such people realise that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of the humans. “This is unacceptable. We will resist this,” he resolved. He expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued to supporting Pakistan in its endeavour of polio eradication.

Recognising the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, the prime minister said they had paid the highest price for the cause.

He said the frontline health workers were the heroes of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication. The prime minister recognised the services of three police constables who were martyred while on polio duty and to two vaccinators who were injured.

He also presented appreciation shields to the former coordinator of the Sindh Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September. The prime minister also announced to personally visit Huma as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of a polio-free Pakistan.

“Today is the day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the world back. We must move forward to 2024 with the realisation that the weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders.

We must leave no room for the virus to spread and reach every child with the vaccine before the virus has a chance to permanently change their lives,” he remarked. Caretaker Health Minister Nadeem Jan, in his address, paid homage to the polio workers who were striving to accomplish the mission of a polio-free Pakistan while facing many odds and hardships.

He emphasised that the community health workers should be acknowledged and honoured as motivation would enhance their performance. He called for changing the narrative from “Pak Fights Polio” to “Pakistan Winning Over Polio”. He expressed the hope that the World Polio Day next year would mark the complete eradication of polio from Pakistan.

Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani said the campaign was started in 1994 and continued across Pakistan with dedication to date with support from the aid agencies. Besides the polio drive, other related subjects including maternal and neonatal healthcare were also worked on, he added.WHO Representative in Pakistan Palitha Mahipala said the Day was observed to commemorate the global journey. He said the polio eradication was one of the major commitments made by WHO which provided technical support to Pakistan.

He said the day was not far when Pakistan would get rid of the crippling disease within next few years as the number of paralysis had sharply declined.

Meanwhile, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Planning Minister Sami Saeed met Tuesday and discussed the implementation of the projects concluded during the prime minister’s recent visit to China.

During PM Kakar’s visit to China form October 16 to 20, the two sides signed 20 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, covering cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, infrastructure, mining, industry, green and low-carbon development, health, space cooperation, digital economy, development cooperation and export of agricultural products to China.

The meeting also discussed matters relating to the Ministry of Planning.

Meanwhile, Kakar directed the authorities concerned to ensure the timely and uninterrupted supply of fertilizer to the farmers for Rabi crop.

The prime minister, chairing a review meeting on the provision of Urea for Rabi crop, instructed for the timely arrangement of the fertilizer’s buffer stock.

He asked the respective district administrations to keep strict vigilance on the fertilizer prices.

The meeting was also apprised of the current production of the fertilizer and the expected demand.

The participants were briefed about the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee for the uninterrupted provision of fertilizer.

The prime minister instructed the relevant ministries to formulate a comprehensive mechanism for the smooth supply of the fertilizer for Rabi crop.