PM Shehbaz pledges 'zero tolerance' on Polio, lead threats to children

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding children’s health, with a renewed focus on eradicating polio and tackling the growing threat of lead exposure through coordinated national and international efforts.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation from the UNICEF and the Partnership for Lead Free Future at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to an official statement.

Welcoming the delegation, Shehbaz Sharif said protecting children’s future remains a top priority, stressing that Pakistan is fully committed to eliminating polio. He noted that lead exposure poses serious risks to children’s physical and cognitive development, describing it as a significant public health challenge that requires urgent attention.

The prime minister assured that all necessary measures would be taken to mitigate the impact of lead exposure and emphasized continued collaboration with international partners to improve child health outcomes.

The delegation included Abdullah Fadil, director of the Lead-Free Future Secretariat; Pernille Ironside; and experts from the Stanford University School of Medicine, Jenna Forsyth and Thomas Hird. Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Syed Mustafa Kamal and Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior officials, also attended the meeting.

The delegation appreciated the government’s efforts in combating diseases, including polio, and improving key health and development indicators. They also briefed the meeting on findings from a recent survey identifying areas affected by lead exposure in Pakistan and stressed the need to raise public awareness about its harmful effects.

Participants further acknowledged the government’s broader initiatives in health, education, youth development and information technology, describing them as vital steps toward sustainable national development.