Karachi (HRNW) — A meeting of the Sindh Polio Task Force was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, attended by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IG Police Javed Alam Odho, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Secretary Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary to CM Abdul Rahim Sheikh, Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan, Secretary Health Jamshed Memon, CEO PPHI Javed Jagirani, EOC Coordinator Shehryar Memon, DG Health Dr. Waqar, and all Deputy Commissioners of the province, among other senior officials.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister stated that eradicating polio is a national duty, and despite the presence of the virus in some areas, the fight against polio must continue with full commitment. He emphasized the shared responsibility of parents, communities, media, and government, stressing that strengthening children’s immunity is the key to defeating the virus effectively.
He informed participants that Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases in 2024, 31 cases in 2025, and zero cases so far in 2026. In Sindh specifically, 23 cases were reported in 2024, 9 in 2025, and zero in 2026, although environmental samples still indicate the presence of the virus.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that a new anti-polio campaign will be conducted from February 2 to 8, targeting 10.5 million children across the province. The campaign will cover 1,490 union councils in 30 districts, where teams will administer oral polio drops to children under five years of age. All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to monitor progress in their respective areas.
More than 80,000 polio workers will participate in the campaign, supported by 21,000 police and Rangers personnel to ensure security. The Chief Minister reaffirmed:
“No child should be left behind — every child must receive the polio vaccine.”
He also extended gratitude to WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and all partner organizations for their continued support, noting that collaborative efforts have played a vital role in controlling polio across Sindh and Pakistan.
This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to public health, child welfare, and disease eradication, and highlights the importance of collective action and community trust in achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
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