Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged firm action in response to a deadly attack in Balochistan that claimed the life of a police constable assigned to a polio vaccination team.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif both condemned the attack, which occurred on Tuesday as the team was carrying out routine vaccinations in Nushki. Unidentified gunmen opened fire, killing one police officer and injuring another.
President Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the incident, paying tribute to the dedication of polio workers who put their lives at risk to protect children from the debilitating disease. He also highlighted the significant progress made through nationwide vaccination campaigns, noting that polio cases have decreased by more than 90 percent in recent years. However, he cautioned that the fight against polio must continue with full commitment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the family of the fallen constable and vowed that those behind the attack would face strict punishment. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding polio teams from such threats.
Polio workers in Pakistan have repeatedly faced attacks, particularly in remote or conflict-affected regions, making it one of only two countries where polio remains endemic. So far in 2025, 10 polio cases have been reported, according to official data.
Meanwhile, in another disturbing incident, two polio workers were abducted on Monday in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district during an ongoing vaccination campaign. The kidnapping took place in the Jandola tribal subdivision and involved Sifatullah, a COMNet staff member, and Hizbullah, a volunteer, both of whom were performing vaccination duties at the time.
Third Nationwide Polio Campaign of 2025 Launched
Pakistan’s Polio Programme launched its third round of National Immunisation Days (NIDs) for 2025 on Sunday at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, inaugurated the campaign alongside officials and partner organisations.
To mark the launch, Ayesha Raza Farooq administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five, underscoring the government’s resolve to eliminate the disease. The weeklong campaign began on May 26 and aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five.
