Dream of polio-free Pakistan to be realized at every cost: PM Kakar.

ISLAMABAD -- Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday said that the dream of polio-free Pakistan to be achieved at every cost and individuals propagating against polio vaccination would be dealt with sternly.

Addressing a ceremony organized in connection with the World Polio Day here, the prime minister said, 'I can assure that we gonna have it. We will realise this dream. We will never step back, may be an inch, may be a foot or may be a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey.'

The event was organized by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on World Polio Day which is commemorated on October 24 every year.

Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, representatives of polio partners Rotary, WHO and UNICEF, and frontline workers and their families attended the ceremony.

Premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar said by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers, intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of darkness. He emphasized the role of faith leaders and the society to make such people realise that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of the humans. This is unacceptable. We will resist this,' he resolved.

He expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued to supporting Pakistan in its endeavor of polio eradication.

Recognizing the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, the prime minister said they had paid the highest price for the cause. He said the frontline health workers were the heroes of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication.

PM Kakar also recognized the services of three police constables who were martyred while on polio duty and to two vaccinators who were injured. He also presented appreciation shields to the former coordinator of the Sindh EOC, Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September. The prime minister also announced to personally visit Huma as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of polio-free Pakistan.

'Today is a day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the world back. We must move...