Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for renewed national determination to eliminate polio, saying the persistence of the disease in Pakistan and its neighbouring country demands urgent reflection and stronger collective action. Speaking at an event marking World Polio Day in Islamabad, he urged officials and polio workers to intensify efforts to achieve a completely polio-free Pakistan, stressing that if the rest of the world can succeed, so can Pakistan.
The prime minister praised the dedication of polio workers who continue their mission in challenging environments, risking their lives to protect children from paralysis. During the ceremony, he distributed appreciation shields among health workers and thanked the international partners, including WHO and UNICEF, for their consistent support in this vital campaign. He emphasized that the field staff had done “remarkable work” and that the entire nation owed them immense gratitude for their courage and perseverance.
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Highlighting global support, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended special thanks to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Bill Gates Foundation for contributing nearly half a billion dollars for polio eradication projects over the next few years. He described this as a rare opportunity that Pakistan must not waste, urging the health ministry to move swiftly while this financial and global support window remains open. He reminded the audience that “time and tide wait for none,” emphasizing the urgency of acting decisively.
Meanwhile, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio, calling it both a health and moral responsibility. Reflecting on her mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who launched Pakistan’s first nationwide polio campaign in 1994, she said her mother’s legacy continues to inspire her personal mission to ensure every child receives the life-saving vaccine. She noted that “each child missed is a child at risk,” urging communities to reach every home with care and consistency.
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Paying tribute to frontline health workers and security personnel, the first lady honoured those who sacrificed their lives during vaccination drives, saying their courage brought Pakistan closer to a polio-free future. She particularly highlighted the efforts of women vaccinators working in remote and high-risk areas, ensuring that no child is left behind. Concluding her message, she called on parents, caregivers, and leaders to stand united, declaring that through persistence and solidarity, Pakistan can soon achieve a future where no child suffers from polio again.