Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting of the National Task Force for Anti-Polio today at 3pm at Prime Minister House after the first case surfaced in 15 months, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The health authorities will brief the premier on the reasons behind the new case that surfaced in 15 months as Pakistan once again lost the title of ‘polio-free’ country that was hard earned and remained on the list for 15 months.

The health authorities will also present the future course of action. The meeting will be attended by the Health Minister and other top officials of the Health department.

The premier tweeted, “Deeply concerned at the emergence of one polio case in the country. Eradication of polio was a great achievement made possible through sustained efforts. Many polio workers lost their lives in this fight. I have convened a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio for stock-take.”

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1517790647599910914

For over a whole year, 15 months to be exact, Pakistan remained polio-free. However, the surfacing of a wild poliovirus case in Bannu district has thrown a huge spanner in the works of national polio eradication efforts.

According to details, the National Institute of Health confirmed the presence of type-1 wild poliovirus in a 15-month-old boy who was paralysed. Meanwhile, earlier in the month, wild poliovirus was also detected in environmental samples from Bannu.

Reporter Awais Kiyani