President’s Message: ‘Polio eradication is a top priority’

He adds the day is an occasion to reiterate commitment to save children from disabilities caused by polio

ISLAMABAD: Polio eradication is the highest priority of the government, President Mamnoon Hussain said in his message on World Polio Day being observed on 24 October. “The observance of World Polio Day on 24th October has a special significance for Pakistan as we are one of those few countries which are still fighting this crippling disease,” he said. The day therefore is an occasion to reiterate our commitment to save our children from the disabilities caused by polio. “Besides political commitment, the mobilisation of civil society, religious and local communities and the media is a testimony of our sincere efforts to eradicate this menace.” It is indeed a matter of great concern that polio cases are still being reported, but mostly in areas undergoing peculiar security situation. “I call upon international community to be fair and objective in its analysis of the existing situation in the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2014.