A targeted anti-polio campaign kicked off on Monday across Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district and three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), aiming to protect thousands of young children from the threat of lifelong paralysis.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the immunisation campaign is also underway in selected union councils of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, focusing on areas deemed at higher risk.

Health teams will administer oral polio vaccines to more than 318,000 children under the age of five as part of this focused effort to stamp out the virus from vulnerable regions.

“Every single round of polio vaccination is crucial in safeguarding children from irreversible disability,” an EOC spokesperson stated. They further stressed the importance of completing the full immunisation schedule, highlighting that consistent participation in each round is key to building long-term immunity.

The EOC called for collective national commitment to eradicate polio once and for all, adding that the success of the campaign hinges on the active support of communities and parents.

“Polio eradication is not just a health mission—it’s a shared responsibility. Every citizen must contribute,” the spokesperson added.

Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio is still endemic. Authorities are hopeful that with sustained efforts, strategic planning, and community cooperation, the country can achieve a polio-free future.