Major gains against polio as cases fall sharply in 2025

WEB DESK: Pakistan has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against polio, with a significant decline in cases reported in 2025, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

The EOC said 74 polio cases were recorded nationwide in 2024, compared with only 30 cases so far in 2025. It added that no new polio case has been reported anywhere in the country since September 2025, while Balochistan and Punjab have remained polio-free for nearly a year.

During 2025, six high-quality nationwide anti-polio campaigns were successfully conducted, the report said. In the most recent national campaign, more than 98 per cent of children were vaccinated across the country, while the number of missed children dropped by 18 per cent compared to the previous drive.

The EOC attributed the progress to strong government leadership, effective inter-institutional coordination, and the combined efforts of frontline health workers and security agencies. It also highlighted the role of community engagement, support from religious leaders and positive media messaging in building public trust.

The National EOC said Pakistan is further strengthening decisive measures to achieve complete eradication of polio by 2026, with the goal of making the country permanently polio-free.