Pakistan kicked off a nationwide anti-polio campaign on Monday, aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five as part of efforts to eliminate the crippling disease—one of the last remaining in the world.
Pakistan on Monday launched its third nationwide polio vaccination drive of the year, seeking to curb the spread of the virus that remains endemic in the country and neighboring Afghanistan.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal officially inaugurated the week-long campaign at a ceremony in the capital Islamabad, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.
More than 45 million children under five are expected to receive the polio vaccine during the drive, which comes amid rising concerns after the virus was detected in 50 districts across the country.
“This is a critical moment in our fight against polio,” Kamal said at the ceremony. “I urge all parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine and are protected from this life-altering disease.”
Thousands of security personnel have been deployed nationwide to protect vaccination teams, who have frequently come under attack—especially in remote and restive regions. Since December 2012, nearly 150 people involved in polio campaigns have been killed across the country, according to government data.
Militant groups, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have long targeted anti-polio efforts, spreading misinformation that the campaigns are part of a Western or anti-Muslim conspiracy. Many vaccinators, often women, have been threatened or killed while trying to administer doses to children.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where polio is still classified as endemic. In 2024, Pakistan reported 74 cases of polio. So far in 2025, 10 cases have been confirmed.
Despite significant progress over the past decade, health authorities stress that continued vaccination drives and public cooperation are essential to fully eradicate the disease.v
U.S. President Donald Trump says more talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place "today", as more strikes occur in Lebanon. He...
Commander of Pakistan’s Army Field Marshal Asim Munir is visiting Tehran for high-level talks as Islamaba...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news st...
Russia unleashed missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overni...
A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despi...
Commander of Pakistan’s Army Field Marshal Asim Munir is visiting Tehran for high-level talks as Islamabad steps up mediation efforts to host renewed de-escalation talks between Iran and the U.S.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 16th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia unleashed missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing 13 people, including a 12-year-old child, injuring several dozens and badly damaging buildings, officials said on Thursday.
A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U.S. blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports.
A preliminary round of Lebanon-Israel talks has concluded in Washington, marking a tentative diplomatic step as regional tensions rise. The development comes as the United States launches a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Greenland’s prime minister has appointed his predecessor to oversee foreign affairs, as pressure from Washington intensifies over the Arctic island’s future.
Spain’s plan to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants is facing early resistance, with immigration officers warning they may strike over a lack of preparation and resources.
The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
A Chinese biotechnology company is stepping up efforts to combine artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced genetic testing in a bid to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), while also tapping into growing demand for fertility services.
Austria’s government on Friday approved plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, alongside reforms to upper secondary school curricula aimed at boosting media literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education from the 2027/28 academic year.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.
The Scottish Parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying, ending a years-long campaign to make Scotland the first part of the UK to allow the practice.
The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer treatments and other temperature-sensitive drugs, according to pharmaceutical industry executives.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment