A nationwide anti-polio campaign has been launched across Pakistan with the goal of vaccinating approximately 45.4 million children under the age of five. The week-long drive, which began today, is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 30. Health officials have confirmed that vaccination teams will be active throughout the country, aiming to reach every eligible child in an effort to eliminate the poliovirus once and for all.
The campaign officially inaugurated in Islamabad by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication. Addressing the gathering, she emphasized that polio eradication remains a national responsibility and a shared commitment. She called on parents to fully cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that their children receive the necessary polio drops. Echoing this message, the federal health minister also urged families to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring they are protected against this crippling disease.
However, the campaign has not been without tragedy. On April 23, 2025, two Levies personnel lost their lives in a terrorist attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Mastung, a city in the Balochistan province. According to police, the assailants managed to escape after the assault, prompting an immediate security response. Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the brutal attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, expressing sorrow over the martyrdom of the security personnel who were safeguarding public health workers. He extended his prayers for the departed souls and offered heartfelt condolences to their grieving families. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to bring the perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that such cowardly attacks would not deter Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate polio. He called on citizens not to lose hope and to continue supporting the vaccination efforts. Vowing to press forward, he made it clear that the anti-polio campaign would continue with full strength and under all circumstances, reinforcing the state’s unwavering commitment to a polio-free Pakistan.
