‘This Is Unacceptable. We Will Resist This,’ Says PM Kakar

News Desk

Islamabad: “I can assure you that we will have it. We will realise this dream. We will never step back; it may be an inch, a foot, or a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey,” Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Tuesday.

Addressing a ceremony to mark World Polio Day, Kakar vowed to resist the individuals propagating against the polio vaccination and resolved to achieve the dream of a polio-free Pakistan.

The event was organised 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 PM said that by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers, intentionally or unintentionally, are partnering with the forces of darkness.

Recognising the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, Anwaar-ul-Haq stated they have paid the highest price for the cause.

The frontline health workers are the heroes of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety, without ever losing their dedication, remarked Interim PM.

اسلام آباد: پولیو کے عالمی دن کے موقع پر وزیراعظم سیکرٹریٹ میں پولیو کے شہداء اور فرنٹ لائن ہیروز کی کاوشوں اور قربانیوں کو سراہنے کیلئے تقریب کا انعقاد کیا گیا جس میں نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق نے پولیو ورکرز اور شہداء کے اہلخانہ میں امدادی چیکس تقسیم کیے#WorldPolioDay #EndPolio pic.twitter.com/r79KVHa2Fz

— Pak Fights Polio (@PakFightsPolio) October 24, 2023

Ha also recognised the services of three police constables who were martyred while on polio duty and two vaccinators who were injured.

He also presented appreciation shields to Sindh Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) Former Coordinator Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September.

PM Kakar also announced to personally visit to Huma as a gesture to recognize her services in the mission of a polio-free Pakistan.

“Today is the day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. We must move forward to 2024 with the realisation that the weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders,” he remarked.

Kakar emphasized the role of faith leaders and society in making such people realize that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of humans.

Caretaker Health Minister Nadeem Jan emphasised that community health workers should be acknowledged and honoured as motivation would enhance their performance.

He called for changing the narrative from “Pak Fights Polio” to “Pakistan Winning Over Polio”.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief Polio Officer Melissa Corkum said the credit for the successes went to the health workers, who, despite challenges, went door to door in every campaign. Additional input from agencies.