Islamabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has issued a directive for the creation of a comprehensive emergency plan aimed at eradicating polio in Pakistan by next year.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Anti-Polio Taskforce in Islamabad today (Wednesday), where he instructed the development of an integrated program to address high-risk areas for the polio virus. He emphasized the necessity of employing modern technology to enhance the monitoring of the immunization program.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar urged the Ministry of National Health Services to form a committee to devise an action plan for Inactivated Polio Vaccine, aligning with best international practices and research. Expressing concern over recent cases of polio in the country, he highlighted that the persistence of polio in Pakistan is alarming.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders, including scholars, teachers, and parents, in the anti-polio awareness campaign and called for organizing conventions of scholars to underscore their pivotal role in this endeavor. Additionally, he directed the authorities to ensure robust security for polio workers during campaigns.

The meeting was informed that special polio health camps have been set up in high-risk zones, including Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Tank. It was also noted that 44 million children have been vaccinated in recent anti-polio campaigns.

Further updates revealed that Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are polio-free regions. Polio teams have been deployed at repatriation centers for illegally residing Afghans in Peshawar, Nowshera, and Chaman.

Prime Minister Kakar’s directive represents a crucial step in intensifying Pakistan’s fight against polio and achieving the goal of a polio-free country.