Punjab has moved closer to becoming polio-free after environmental samples collected from 19 districts tested negative for the poliovirus for the first time in the province's history, according to confirmation from the World Health Organization.
The development was hailed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who described the achievement as a major step toward a polio-free future for the province.
According to official data, 31 environmental samples collected from 19 districts, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Attock, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhang, Khanewal, Mianwali, Okara, Rajanpur, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Sialkot, tested negative for the poliovirus.
Maryam Nawaz said it was the first time in Punjab's history that environmental samples from both general and high-risk districts had returned negative results. She congratulated the provincial Health Department, international partners and the entire polio eradication team on the achievement.
The chief minister also appreciated the support of the WHO and other international partners, saying their cooperation had played an important role in the province's anti-polio efforts.
She paid tribute to polio workers, volunteers, supervisors and monitors serving in union councils across Punjab, calling them the real heroes behind the success.
“Punjab is closer than ever to a polio-free future,” she said, adding that the significant reduction in poliovirus circulation reflected the effectiveness of the government's strategy.
Maryam Nawaz said the elimination of the virus from high-risk areas demonstrated strong political commitment, effective monitoring and successful outreach efforts. She noted that authorities had ensured access to high-risk union councils as well as mobile and migrant populations during vaccination campaigns.
The chief minister said protecting children from preventable disabilities remained her top priority. While describing the negative test results as a major success, she stressed that there was no room for complacency until polio was completely eradicated.
“Our war against polio will continue until the last child is protected,” she said.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad