KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting of the Sindh Polio Task Force on Thursday to review preparedness for the upcoming polio vaccination campaign and to reaffirm the provincial government’s commitment to eliminating polio.
The meeting was attended by senior provincial and district officials, including the Mayor of Karachi, Chief Secretary Sindh, Inspector General of Police, divisional commissioners, and secretaries of health, education and local government. Representatives of the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Rotary International also participated, while officials from other divisions joined the meeting through video link.
The chief minister said that polio eradication remains a national priority and stressed the need to further strengthen children’s immunity. He underlined the collective responsibility of parents, schools, communities, the media and government institutions in achieving a polio-free Sindh.
Briefing the meeting, officials informed that Pakistan has reported zero polio cases so far in 2026, compared to 74 cases in 2024 and 31 cases in 2025. Sindh recorded 23 cases in 2024 and nine cases in 2025, with no case reported so far this year. However, environmental surveillance data from 29 sites showed 11 samples positive for poliovirus, five negative and 13 pending, indicating the need for continued vigilance.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for the February 2026 polio vaccination campaign scheduled from February 2 to 8. During the campaign, more than 10.5 million children under the age of five will be targeted across 30 districts and 1,490 union councils. Polio drops will be administered door to door in approximately 8.9 million households. More than 80,000 polio workers will take part in the drive, supported by around 21,000 police and Rangers personnel to ensure security. Deputy commissioners will monitor campaign implementation at the union council level.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah urged media organisations to begin every news bulletin with polio awareness messages, highlighting the media’s crucial role in maintaining public engagement and demand for vaccination. He stressed that no child should be missed during the campaign and said the safety and security of polio workers and children would remain a top priority.
He directed public and private schools to ensure vaccination of all children under five through classroom-based activities. The local government department was instructed to intensify sanitation and cleanliness measures in high-risk union councils, while the information department was tasked with coordinating with stakeholders to enhance polio awareness and campaign visibility, particularly on social media.
The chief minister also expressed appreciation for the continued support of WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other partners in Sindh’s polio eradication efforts.
