Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the hope that a new nationwide campaign was being launched to eliminate the resurfacing of the polio cases in Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Shehbaz Sharif said this on Sunday while inaugurated a three-day nationwide polio eradication drive by administering polio drops to the children.

During his brief address on the occasion in Islamabad, the prime minister expressed the belief that all the provincial governments, along with the federal government, will actively participate in the drive for complete eradication of poliovirus from the country.

Paying rich tribute to polio workers, who laid down their lives in this fight against the epidemic, the Prime Minister said their sacrifices will be remembered in achieving the goal of a polio free Pakistan.

He also thanked all stakeholders, including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization for their cooperation and commitment to support Pakistan in eliminating the disease.

Shehbaz Sharif said this nationwide drive was being started to overcome the resurfacing of the polio cases. He said floods in the summer season had disrupted the national drive, but despite all those difficulties, the polio workers carried out the onus with their hard work and commitment.

He further observed that unfortunately, Pakistan was among the few countries where polio cases had resurfaced. A few years back, during the government of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, these cases were completely eradicated, he added.

Shehbaz said about 20 cases of polio were reported from Waziristan, but due to consistent efforts, these were restricted and controlled and did not spread to other parts.

The prime minister also lauded those frontline workers and law enforcement agencies personnel who had laid down their lives for achieving the objective and embraced shahadat. He said that their sacrifices would always be remembered. “I have the conviction that all the provincial governments, along with the federal government will continue collaborating to eradicate the disease forever,” he added.

The resurfacing of the few cases had certainly raised concerns among the partners including Bill Gates Foundation, World Health Organization (WHO) and other stakeholders, he added.

The prime minister said that during a telephonic conversation, Bill Gates had expressed his commitment to support the government’s efforts to eliminate the disease.

The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to the WHO, stakeholders, related departments, law enforcement personnel and the daughters of the nation for their continuing efforts and commitments.

The prime minister mentioned that he had held meetings with the federal health ministry officials and others, whereas the federal and the provincial governments were all supporting these efforts.

He expressed the confidence that they would control the disease with collective efforts.

The Prime Minister, on the occasion, also distributed appreciation letters and gifts among polio workers and children.