Deputy Prime Minister reaffirms unwavering commitment to eradicating polio

Senator Ishaq Dar meets Polio Oversight Board delegation, pledging sustained political resolve to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to completely eradicating polio from the country. He expressed these views during a high-level meeting in Islamabad with a visiting delegation from the Polio Oversight Board (POB), led by its Chair from Rotary International, Mike McGovern. During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the Board’s continued support for Pakistan’s polio eradication initiatives and underscored the state’s resolve to achieve a polio-free nation through robust political will and close coordination with international stakeholders.

The POB delegation commended Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy in promoting regional peace and its constructive role in addressing global humanitarian issues. The meeting was also attended by the Chairperson of the National Commission for Rights of the Child (NCRC) and head of the Pakistan Polio Programme, Ayesha Raza Farooq, alongside senior officials from relevant ministries. The visiting international delegation comprised senior representatives from several global health bodies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gavi, UNICEF, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).