Islamabad: A week-long national anti-polio vaccination drive, targeting 30 million children up to five years of age, has been launched, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurating the effort aimed at completely eradicating the disease across the country.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Prime Minister Sharif initiated the campaign in Islamabad, covering 115 districts. He emphasized the government’s commitment to polio eradication in collaboration with provincial governments and international partners. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the success of the drive and highlighted the critical role of 286,000 polio workers who will visit homes nationwide to administer vaccine drops.

The campaign is a significant step in Pakistan’s continued efforts to eliminate polio, which can cause lifelong disability. The Prime Minister also called on parents to participate actively by ensuring their children receive the vaccine, underscoring the importance of community involvement in achieving a polio-free Pakistan.