A high-level government delegation from Pakistan met with the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) this week in Geneva and reaffirmed the country’s resolve to counter the resurgence of polio while highlighting the ongoing progress and planned strategies to tackle the remaining barriers to eradicate this global and regional threat.
The Independent Monitoring Board, an impartial assessment and oversight body of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, is meeting in Geneva from July 14-17 to review global polio eradication progress, including progress and challenges in the last two remaining polio-endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The delegation from Pakistan includes State Minister of Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Zahid Saleem, and the Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, Muhammad Anwarul Haq.
Addressing the IMB, State Minister Dr Bharath said that, as one of the only two remaining polio-endemic countries, Pakistan is fully cognizant of its critical role in wiping out the global and regional threat of polio. “Despite complex challenges and competing priorities during the past year, the Government of Pakistan, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, has continued to accord the highest priority to polio eradication, as a consensus national mission.”
The minister highlighted that a “whole of government” approach has been revitalized at all levels to support the provinces, AJK and GB. He also emphasized that Ministry of Health will continue to provide its full support to address all remaining challenges to polio eradication, including enhancing essential immunization coverages.
“Over the past year, I have closely witnessed our teams maintaining a collective sense of urgency and utmost dedication to bringing the polio resurgence under control through strong supervision, accountability and engagement with communities and our valiant frontline workers,” said Dr Bharat. “This approach has helped us make significant progress, and I am confident that, with this dedication, we will surpass the remaining challenges and deliver a polio-free Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, highlighted Pakistan’s progress through the implementation of the National Emergency Action Plan 2024-25. She shared that enhanced coordination with the provinces, full government oversight of all polio activities, targeted district improvement plans and vigilant surveillance have systematically improved the quality of polio campaigns, reduced the number of missed children and helped corner the virus in specific areas.
“No cases this year from Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar blocks is a positive sign that our multiple high-quality campaigns have helped children gain sufficient immunity against polio paralysis. Yet, continued detections of the virus in sewage samples are a reminder that we need to vigilantly ensure that every last child is vaccinated and protected,” Raza Farooq said.
The PM’s Focal Person underlined that, in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the complex situation, vaccine hesitancy and population movement hamper consistent access to children. In this province, the Polio Programme is working with law-enforcement agencies, district administrations, local communities and the Expanded Programme on Immunization to improve vaccination outreach and community trust.
“Pakistan has proved over time that it has the capacity to defeat the poliovirus, but we are facing ever-evolving challenges in sustaining gains. I have full confidence that with the unprecedented government ownership, political and security support, and through our concerted efforts led by capable Chief Secretaries, we will end the current resurgence soon and pave the way to become polio-free.”
The IMB appreciated the highest level of political commitment demonstrated by the Government of Pakistan. A detailed report with recommendations will follow.
The IMB is an impartial, independent body of global health experts that provides assessment and oversight of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s efforts to end polio. It meets governments from polio-endemic and other polio high-risk countries every year to review data and progress. Following each meeting, the Board issues a report with recommendations to improve strategies and reach the end goal of polio eradication.
