Punjab Achieves Historic Breakthrough In Polio Eradication

LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Punjab has achieved a major milestone in its fight against polio after environmental samples collected from 19 districts tested negative for the poliovirus for the first time in the province’s history, according to confirmation from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The development was welcomed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who described it as a significant step toward making the province polio-free.

Official data showed that 31 environmental samples gathered from 19 districts, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot and several other districts, returned negative results for the poliovirus.

Maryam Nawaz said this marked the first occasion that environmental samples from both routine surveillance areas and traditionally high-risk districts had tested negative simultaneously, reflecting substantial progress in eradication efforts.

She congratulated the provincial health authorities, international partners, and members of the polio eradication program for their contributions to the achievement. The chief minister also acknowledged the support of the WHO and other global partners, saying their collaboration had strengthened Punjab’s anti-polio campaign.

Pakistan Launches Polio Vaccination Drive Across High-Risk Districts

Paying tribute to frontline workers, volunteers, supervisors, and monitoring teams, Maryam Nawaz described them as the driving force behind the success. She noted that the reduction in poliovirus circulation highlighted the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns, monitoring mechanisms, and outreach efforts across the province.

The chief minister emphasized that special attention had been given to high-risk union councils as well as mobile and migrant populations to ensure that every eligible child received vaccination.

While celebrating the encouraging results, she stressed that the fight against polio was not yet over and vowed to continue efforts until the disease is completely eradicated.

She reiterated that protecting children from preventable disabilities remains a top priority and affirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining momentum toward a polio-free Punjab.