Senate appreciates govt’s drives to eradicate polio virus

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday appreciated the government drives to eradicate polio virus from the country and stressed the need for more focusing on it.

Prime Minister Focal Chairperson on Polio Eradication Programme Ayesha Raza Farooq while paying salute to those who laid down their lives to eradicate the virus said unfortunately, Pakistan was included among those three countries where the virus could not eradicated completely.

However, she said owing to the continuous efforts, polio cases witnessed sharp decreased and only eight cases were reported during 2017.

She said a credit goes to all political parties, civil society and armed forces to control polio in the country.

Ayesha said the government was actively working to ensure free polio Pakistan with the assistance of Ulemas, civil society and other stakeholders.

She said various campaigns were also launched to create awareness among the masses about polio. She said all political parties were unit to purge the country from this crippling disease.

Earlier, moving on a motion to discuss the present status of polio virus in the country, Azam Khan Swati said it was an important motion. Although the government was doing a lot but more attention should be given to it, he added. He appreciated the government for taking pragmatic steps to control the disease.

Mir Kabeer said polio workers in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa rendered supreme sacrifices in line of duty. It was being said that Afghanistan was polio free country but always virus reported from there.

Saud Majeed appreciated those people who had sacrifices their lives to control the virus and eradicate polio from the country.

Meanwhile, the House also adopted the deferred resolution that the House recommends that the government should take necessary steps to control the lowering of water table in the country.