The fight against polio in Pakistan has suffered a setback as two new cases were confirmed this week, raising the total to 21 so far in 2025. The cases were reported in Sindh’s Badin district and Lower Dir in Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said parents must remain vigilant and complete their children’s vaccination course. Officials described immunisation as the only way to ensure a safe and healthy future for children.
To contain the spread, Pakistan will launch a fresh vaccination campaign on 1 September. Health workers will visit homes across the country, with a special emphasis on areas where transmission remains high.
The campaign comes at a critical time. A few weeks earlier, the National Institute of Health had confirmed the virus in a 10-month-old child in Tank district, KP. That discovery had lifted the year’s tally to 18 before the latest cases were added.
Authorities admitted that vaccination efforts in southern KP have been challenging, with logistical difficulties and resistance in certain communities slowing progress. The NEOC said it is developing new approaches to ensure that children in hard-to-reach areas are not missed.
Despite these hurdles, officials maintained that Pakistan is determined to eliminate polio through consistent campaigns and localised interventions. They added that greater community cooperation will be vital in achieving the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.