Ayesha Raza Farooq

Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Pakistan

Appears in 1 story

Office: Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N)

Education: University of the Punjab

Previous offices: Senator, Member of the 14th National Assembly of Pakistan

Last updated Nov 1, 2026

Stories

The final push to eradicate polio

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As of May 2026: Leading national eradication efforts

When the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched in 1988, wild poliovirus paralyzed 350,000 children annually across 125 countries, but today it survives in only two: Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan's nationwide vaccination campaign from February 2-8, 2026, reached 44.3 million of 45 million targeted children under five across 159 districts, achieving 98% coverage. Eliminating polio would make it only the second human pathogen ever eradicated, after smallpox.

Updated May 26