Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has vowed to resist the individuals propagating against the polio vaccination and resolved to achieve the dream of a polio-free Pakistan.

“I can assure you that we are going to have it. We will realise this dream. We will never step back, maybe an inch, maybe a foot, or maybe a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey,” the interim prime minister said while addressing a ceremony to mark World Polio Day.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on World Polio Day, which is commemorated on October 24 every year.

The prime minister said by opposing the polio vaccine, the “anti-vaxxers”, intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of darkness. He emphasised the role of faith leaders and society to make such people realise that they were actually partnering with the “destroyer” of humans.

“This is unacceptable. We will resist this,” he said and expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued to support Pakistan in its endeavour of polio eradication.

He acknowledged the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, saying that they had paid the “highest price” for the cause. The frontline health workers were the “heroes” of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication, the PM added.

He also presented appreciation shields to the former coordinator of the Sindh Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September. The prime minister also announced to personal visit to Huma as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of a polio-free Pakistan.

“Today is the day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the world back. We must move forward to 2024 with the realisation that the weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders. We must leave no room for the virus to spread and reach every child with the vaccine before the virus has a chance to permanently change their lives,” he remarked.

Caretaker Health Minister Nadeem Jan, in his address, paid homage to the polio workers who were striving to accomplish the mission of a polio-free Pakistan while facing many odds and hardships.

He emphasised that community health workers should be acknowledged and honoured as motivation would enhance their performance.

He called for changing the narrative from ‘Pak Fights Polio’ to ‘Pakistan Winning Over Polio’. Jan expressed the hope that World Polio Day next year would mark the complete eradication of polio from Pakistan.

Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani said the campaign was started in 1994 and continued across Pakistan with dedication to date with support from the aid agencies. Besides the polio drive, other related subjects including maternal and neonatal healthcare were also worked on, he added.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Palitha Mahipala said the day was observed to commemorate the global journey. He said the polio eradication was one of the major commitments made by WHO which provided technical support to Pakistan.

The day was not far when Pakistan would get rid of the crippling disease within the next few years as the number of paralysis had sharply declined, he stated.

UNICEF Chief Polio Officer Melissa Corkum said the credit for the successes went to the health workers who despite challenges went door to door in every campaign.