Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced that a new phase of Pakistan’s anti-polio campaign will kick off on April 21, amid declining virus circulation in many regions. Speaking in Karachi, he stressed that while national guidelines are in place, it’s the responsibility of local authorities to ensure the virus is eradicated from the environment.
Kamal shared concerns about vaccine refusal, revealing 44,000 cases across the country—34,000 of which are in Karachi alone. He noted that the highest refusals were reported in the city’s East District, mostly among Urdu- and Pashto-speaking communities. “These refusals are based on unfounded fears. The vaccine is safe, procured through Unicef, and there’s no room for misinformation,” he said.
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The campaign comes after environmental surveillance detected wild poliovirus in sewage samples from 20 districts, though officials say the overall virus presence is declining. The virus was found in places like Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, and Lahore, while samples from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Gilgit showed no signs of the virus.
Pakistan has reported just six cases in 2025 so far, compared to 74 in 2024. Health officials attribute this drop to stronger immunisation efforts and continued public cooperation in vaccination campaigns.
