Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to ending polio as representatives of international partners visited the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Polio Eradication in connection with World Polio Day.
Islamabad: A special session was held at the National EOC with the participation of polio programme leadership, international partners and frontline workers. The session focused on Pakistan’s current polio situation, key challenges and strategic priorities for achieving a polio-free country.
The National EOC briefed international partners on Pakistan’s polio virus detection and surveillance systems, highlighting the importance of continued coordination and technical cooperation in identifying and responding to the virus.
Speaking during the session, Ayesha Raza Farooq stressed that sustained collective action and international support remain essential to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
“International partners’ support remains vital to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts,” she said, emphasizing that sustained financial, technical and operational assistance is critical to bringing the country closer to eliminating polio.
Farooq also highlighted progress in several provinces. Balochistan has reported no polio cases since November 2024, while Punjab has reported no cases since February 2025, reflecting the impact of continued vaccination, surveillance and field-level interventions.
The session also recognized the contribution of Pakistan’s frontline workforce. More than 400,000 frontline workers are currently involved in the country’s polio eradication efforts.
Farooq said the sustained dedication of these workers remains indispensable to eliminating polio, adding that their field experience and recommendations are critical for effective planning and implementation of eradication activities.
During their visit, international partners also toured the Polio Regional Reference Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, where they were briefed on laboratory-based virus detection, surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.
The visit provided an opportunity for international partners and Pakistan’s polio programme leadership to assess ongoing efforts, discuss challenges and reinforce cooperation.
Pakistan reiterated that sustained collective efforts, backed by strong surveillance, vaccination campaigns, frontline workers and international support, will remain central to achieving the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.
