In a high-stakes meeting held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House on Tuesday, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed serious concern over the recent surge in polio cases across the province and ordered immediate action against health and administrative officials showing “poor performance and lack of seriousness.”
The meeting, focused on polio eradication and immunization efforts in Sindh, was attended by key provincial leaders including Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Abdul Rahim Sheikh, Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in-charge Irshad Sodhar, and others.
During the briefing, officials informed the Chief Minister that nine polio cases have been reported in Sindh so far in 2025. Of these, three cases each were detected in Badin and Thatta, while Hyderabad, Larkana, and Umerkot each recorded one case. Even more alarming was the revelation that 81% of environmental samples collected across the province tested positive for poliovirus, indicating widespread circulation.
“This is unacceptable. Why are we still reporting polio cases in 2025 when most of the world has eradicated the virus?” CM Shah questioned, expressing deep frustration.
“We cannot afford complacency. Protecting children from disability is a collective responsibility.”
Despite decades of global and national efforts, Pakistan remains one of only two countries—alongside Afghanistan—where polio is still endemic. While most of the world celebrated the eradication of wild poliovirus, Pakistan continues to grapple with vaccine resistance, operational gaps, misinformation, and logistical issues, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Reacting strongly to the detection of two recent cases in Badin, CM Shah ordered the immediate suspension of District Health Officer (DHO) Badin Dr. Anjum Soomro and DHO Keamari Wali Muhammad Rahmoon for failing to control the situation. He also directed the removal of Assistant Commissioners in Matli and Mirpur Sakro from their posts, and instructed the issuance of disciplinary notices to Deputy Commissioners of Badin and Thatta.
“I do not want officers who are not serious about polio eradication. This is a public health emergency, and everyone must act accordingly,” the Chief Minister said, warning that further negligence would not be tolerated.
He also directed Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho to initiate disciplinary action against health officials responsible for poor performance and instructed Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to take administrative action against ineffective officers.
In a bid to contain the virus and prevent further spread, CM Shah announced that two special polio eradication campaigns will be held in October and December. These campaigns are expected to target high-risk districts with door-to-door immunization and awareness drives.
He emphasized the need for an aggressive, coordinated, and community-inclusive approach, particularly in vulnerable districts like Badin, Thatta, and Keamari. Special teams are expected to be deployed in these areas to ensure complete vaccine coverage and monitoring.
With Sindh witnessing a disturbing rise in polio cases in 2025, the urgency to eliminate the virus once and for all has never been greater. The CM’s tough stance signals a renewed commitment, but the success of the campaigns will ultimately depend on strict oversight, transparent monitoring, and community engagement.