International and national experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Aga Khan University in Karachi on Friday unanimously concluded that all available science and evidence indicate that, despite challenges, ending polio in Pakistan and globally is within reach. Experts underlined that, over the last 3 decades, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative has reduced polio cases by 99.6% in Pakistan – from 20 000 annual cases to 74 in 2024, and 30 so far in 2025 –, demonstrating that vaccines work and save lives.

Panelists underscored that the recent detection of wild poliovirus in Germany is a stark reminder of the urgent need to sustain joint action. They emphasized that scaling back efforts would pose a global health risk, and the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of action.

These were the overall conclusions of an event entitled “How close are we? The last mile to polio eradication” co-organized by WHO and the Aga Khan University in Karachi. The panel discussion, moderated by Dr Ali Faisal Saleem from Aga Khan University Hospital, gathered over 400 in-person and online participants, including experts, partners, authorities, medical professionals and students.

“Eradicating polio forever, and for every child, is not just the right thing to do. It is also the smartest. The recent detection of the poliovirus in Germany is a stark reminder that the poliovirus knows no borders and the future of millions of children is at stake. Science tells us that eradicating polio forever in Pakistan and across the globe is within reach. Science tells us that it is not time to quit,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.

“This is the last mile, and we need all the help that we can get to reach every child. It is not only an issue for Pakistan; it is an issue for the world,” said State Health Minister of Sindh Azra Fazal Pechuho.

The Prime Minister Focal Person for Polio Eradication in Pakistan, Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq, underlined how, since 1994, “we have managed to reduce the disease burden in the country by 99.6%, and 2 of the 3 strains of wild poliovirus that were circulating then have been eradicated. We have come this far by establishing a sophisticated network of emergency operation centres that are driven by scientific and data-based operations.”