KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has launched a comprehensive anti-polio campaign across the province, targeting the vaccination of more than 10.6 million children under the age of five. The initiative, running from April 13 to 19, will involve over 83,000 frontline workers conducting door-to-door visits, supported by a significant security deployment.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the campaign was inaugurated at Government Boys Secondary School, Khayaban-e-Shujaat, where the chief minister personally administered polio drops to children. The event was attended by Education Minister Sardar Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and other senior officials. The seven-day effort also includes the administration of Vitamin A supplements to approximately 9.4 million children to enhance immunity.

The chief minister emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that more than 24,000 security personnel, including over 2,400 female police officers, have been deployed to ensure the safety of the vaccination teams. He urged parents to cooperate fully with the campaign to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

Highlighting the urgency of eliminating polio, Murad Ali Shah pointed out that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where the virus remains endemic. He shared updates on the progress made in 2026, with a decline in environmental positivity rates and a single reported case in Sindh so far. Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating the virus through sustained vaccination efforts.

The chief minister appealed to various societal segments, including parents, schools, media, and religious leaders, to support the campaign. He urged the media to combat misinformation and encouraged community leaders to advocate for vaccination, acknowledging the dedication of polio workers and security personnel in reaching challenging areas.

In related remarks, Murad Ali Shah praised the efforts of national leaders, noting the role of President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in supporting diplomatic and public welfare initiatives. He highlighted recent diplomatic engagements as a testament to Pakistan’s successful diplomacy and national unity amid regional tensions.

Concluding his address, Shah reiterated the critical need for collective action to secure a polio-free future for Pakistan, urging all community segments to contribute to the eradication effort.