Pakistan launches nationwide polio eradication campaign

KARACHI/LAHORE/PESHAWAR/QUETTA: Pakistan on Monday launched a coordinated nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeting tens of millions of children in a renewed push to eradicate the paralysing disease, health officials said.

The campaign has been rolled out in Lahore and nine other districts of Punjab, 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25 districts of Balochistan and 20 districts of Sindh, with varying durations ranging from four to seven days depending on the region.

In Punjab, the polio control programme said that vaccination drives would continue in nine districts until May 22, while the campaign in Lahore will run until May 24.

Districts including Rawalpindi, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Multan and Mianwali will also see vaccination activity until May 22.

In southern Punjab, the campaign in Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan will conclude on May 22.

Officials said that more than 6.19 million children will be administered anti-polio drops across the province during the drive.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said that vaccination teams had begun work across 23 districts, with a target of reaching more than 4.6 million children.

The campaign is being conducted in districts including Peshawar, Bajaur, Lower Dir, Mohmand, Mardan and Nowshera, as well as Kohat, Hangu, Karak and Kurram.

According to the EOC, the campaign will run for seven days in Peshawar and the adjacent district of Khyber, while in other districts it will continue for four days.

In Balochistan, a seven-day anti-polio campaign has been launched across 25 districts, targeting 1.99 million children, said provincial coordinator Inam-ul-Haq.

He said environmental that samples in the province had confirmed the presence of poliovirus, although no new human case had been reported in 2026 so far.

Health officials in Sindh also launched a five-day campaign across 20 districts, aiming to vaccinate around 5.8 million children in 1,125 union councils.

Authorities urged parents to ensure that children receive polio drops during the campaign, reiterating that vaccination remains the only effective protection against the disease.

First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari praised frontline health workers involved in the campaign, describing their efforts as crucial to Pakistan’s ongoing eradication drive.

Provincial governments reiterated their commitment to achieving a polio-free future through sustained vaccination efforts, improved monitoring and community engagement.