Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the resolve to make Pakistan a polio-free country very soon. He was talking to a delegation of Polio Oversight Board, which called on him in Islamabad today. The Prime Minister thanked the delegation for visiting Pakistan and extending support to the government in its efforts to eradicate polio. He also expressed gratitude to King Salman Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary Foundation, UNICEF and CDC for being a partner with the government of Pakistan in the anti-polio campaign. The Prime Minister said the role of all these organizations reflects the global efforts in the anti-polio drive. He said we have to defeat the challenge of polio collectively.

According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said all the provinces have been taken into confidence regarding the elimination of polio and the federation and all the provinces are jointly taking measures against polio. He appreciated the performance of all the Chief Ministers and Chief Secr
etaries for eradication of polio. The delegation lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister and his team regarding eradication of polio. Speaking on the occasion, the representative of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Dr. Christopher Elias said the government strategy to curb polio is being implemented effectively, and its results are also coming forth. He expressed hope that ratio of polio cases will be declined soon. In her remarks, the representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Hanan Balkhi stressed the need for improving contacts among the regional countries and initiating a dialogue. The meeting was also briefed on the government efforts for polio eradication.