Nationwide Third Polio Campaign Launched in Pakistan, Target Set to Vaccinate 45.8 Million Children

Islamabad: Pakistan has launched its third national anti-polio campaign of the year, aiming to immunize 45.8 million children across the country. Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, made a heartfelt appeal to parents, urging them to ensure their children receive the life-saving polio drops.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center in Islamabad on Monday, the minister expressed deep concern over the presence of the poliovirus in 50 districts of Pakistan. He emphasized that the fight against polio requires national unity, comparing it to the country’s collective stance against external threats.
“This is the second time that Pakistan and Afghanistan have simultaneously initiated polio campaigns, with the shared goal of making the region polio-free,” he stated. “Parents must understand that this is for their children’s own good. I fold my hands and request your cooperation in protecting our children from lifelong disability.”
Mustafa Kamal rejected all negative propaganda against the campaign, calling it baseless and misleading. “This is not a conspiracy — it is a purely humanitarian effort,” he said. “Do not misinterpret the harshness in my tone; understand the sincerity of my message.”
He warned that polio is an incurable disease that, once contracted, lasts a lifetime. “There is treatment for cancer, but not for polio,” he added. He further stressed that those who deny their children vaccination would be answerable on the Day of Judgment.
Highlighting the regional importance of the initiative, the minister noted that apart from Pakistan and Afghanistan, the rest of the world has already eradicated polio. “The responsibility now lies with these two countries to protect future generations from this curse.”
Regarding Afghanistan, Kamal said that a strong vaccination campaign is underway throughout the country, with Kandahar being the only area where children are brought to mosques instead of being reached door-to-door.
The minister clarified that no punitive action will be taken against parents refusing vaccination, and that the police are only tasked with providing security to the polio teams.
In his concluding remarks, Mustafa Kamal appealed to the nation: “Just as we stood united like a wall against India, we must unite against polio. The future of Pakistan and Afghanistan’s children depends on our actions today.”