Islamabad: On World Polio Day, President Asif Ali Zardari called on the nation to maintain its efforts toward a polio-free Pakistan. The appeal emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration among the government, health workers, parents, and communities to protect children from the preventable disease.

According to Press Information Department, Pakistan has achieved a significant reduction in polio cases, with numbers dropping by 99.8% from an estimated 20,000 annually in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025, and only five cases reported so far in 2026. This progress is attributed to the dedication of various stakeholders, including frontline health workers, parents, communities, and development partners.

The country’s polio eradication efforts trace back to 1994 when Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto initiated the first nationwide vaccination campaign. President Zardari acknowledged the critical role of over 400,000 frontline polio workers, 60 percent of whom are women, in serving communities across Pakistan. Their efforts are deemed crucial for reaching every child, especially those who are missed during vaccination campaigns.

President Zardari urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children under five receive the necessary polio drops during each campaign. He also highlighted the importance of routine immunization to protect against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, he called on community representatives, religious and political leaders, civil society, and the media to support polio eradication efforts and encourage vaccination.

The president reiterated the need for sustained efforts until every child in Pakistan is protected against polio, aiming for a future where the country is polio-free.