'Polio must also be eliminated in Pakistan.'

Islamabad: Polio has been eradicated in most parts of the world, and Pakistan must follow suit. Our objective is to ensure that every child receives the polio vaccine and that the world remains polio-free for future generations. Polio is a thing of the past in most parts of the world, and Pakistan must follow suit.

Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel underlined Pakistan's commitment to polio abolition during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) here on Tuesday. Special Secretary Iftikhar Shalwani accompanied him, as did Secretary of State Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, who was later fired and told to report to the Establishment Division.

"Seeing such a well-run organisation is refreshing." This visit gave a wonderful opportunity to connect with officials from the polio programme and obtain a better grasp of the on-going difficulties. "We need open talks and persistent participation to end polio in Pakistan," said Patel, who visited Bannu earlier this month to meet the relatives of polio victims.

"Polio eradication is one of our top priorities, and now is the time to double down on our efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan," Aamir Ashraf said. Iftikhar Shalwani concurred, "When we can safeguard our children with a simple and safe vaccine, we will no longer harbour a sickness that paralyses them."

The minister and secretaries praised the polio campaign's real-time surveillance. "I am sure that we will be able to create Pakistan polio-free with all stakeholders dedicated to eradication and on-going monitoring from the most senior federal leadership," NEOC Coordinator Dr. Shahzad Baig said in a presentation. 

This year, polio has paralysed six children in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.