Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met a delegation from UNICEF to discuss child health, lead exposure risks and Pakistan’s ongoing public health priorities, including polio eradication.
Read More: Pakistan to work with int’l partners to improve child health services: PM
The delegation was led by UNICEF Representative Pernille Ironside and included Abdullah Fadil, Director of the Secretariat for a Lead-Free Future, along with experts Jenna Forsyth and Thomas Hird from Stanford University School of Medicine.
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Mustafa Kamal and Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior government officials, also attended the meeting.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے سیسے سے پاک مستقبل کی شراکت داری (Partnership for Lead Free Future) اور یونیسیف (UNICEF) کے وفد کی ملاقات
وزیراعظم نے وفد کا پاکستان میں خیر مقدم کیا۔ وفد کے شرکاء نے وزیراعظم کو سیسے کے صحت پر نقصان دہ اثرات پر بریفنگ دی اور پاکستان میں اس کے پھیلاؤ… pic.twitter.com/ZN9qCNf1zD
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 30, 2026
During the discussion, Prime Minister Shehbaz said protecting children’s future remains a key priority for the government. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating polio and strengthening child healthcare systems nationwide.
اسلام آباد: 30 اپریل 2026.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے سیسے سے پاک مستقبل کی شراکت داری (Partnership for Lead Free Future) اور یونیسیف (UNICEF) کے وفد کی ملاقات ہوئی.
وفد میں سیسے سے پاک مستقبل کے سیکٹریٹ کے ڈائیریکٹر عبداللہ فاضل، پاکستان میں یونیسیف کی نمائندہ پرنیل… pic.twitter.com/mRL96C38fa
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 30, 2026
The premier highlighted growing concerns over lead exposure, warning that contamination can cause serious physical and cognitive developmental problems in children. He described lead poisoning as an urgent public health challenge that requires coordinated national and international action.
A delegation of Partnership for Lead Free Future and UNICEF called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Islamabad, 30 April 2026. pic.twitter.com/n8IFCuuz76
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 30, 2026
Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated the government’s willingness to work closely with global partners to reduce harmful lead exposure and improve health outcomes for children across the country.
The UNICEF delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in addressing child health challenges, particularly its anti-polio initiatives. Members of the team also shared findings from a recent survey conducted in Pakistan, briefing the prime minister on regions affected by lead exposure.
The experts stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns, early detection and preventive strategies to reduce lead-related health risks, especially among vulnerable children.
Read More: UNICEF assures Pakistan of health sector support
The meeting reflects growing international collaboration on environmental health issues in Pakistan, where lead exposure has increasingly become a concern due to industrial pollution, contaminated products and inadequate public awareness.