Islamabad: Pakistan has confirmed three new polio cases, raising the total number to 21 for the year. These latest cases involve children from Killa Abdullah in Balochistan, Karachi Kemari in Sindh, and Mohmand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking the first case from the latter region in 2024.

According to Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, these findings were confirmed today by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health. The Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, has urgently called on parents and caregivers across the country to vaccinate their children to prevent further spread of this disabling disease.

Ms. Farooq expressed deep concern over the increase in polio cases, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eradicating the disease and detailing the updated National Polio Eradication Emergency Operations Plan. This plan aims to eliminate polio through enhanced campaign quality and coverage, particularly targeting migrant populations and areas with low vaccine acceptance.

Mr. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, the National Coordinator for the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, highlighted the new cases as a critical reminder of the importance of vaccination. He announced upcoming large-scale, house-to-house vaccination campaigns intended to bridge immunity gaps and halt the virus’s spread. Mr. Anwarul Haq also stressed the collective responsibility to ensure no child is left unvaccinated, framing it as a crucial step toward eradicating polio.