Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, has deemed the caretaker government unnecessary and called for the repeal of this law.
He stated that the 26th constitutional amendment was a desire of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that has now been fulfilled.
While addressing the launch event of the anti-polio campaign at Fatima Jinnah Girls High School in Garden, the Chief Minister stated that the caretaker setup should be abolished as it offers no benefits.
He claimed that this year, the caretaker government, installed prior to the February general elections, had caused difficulties regarding vaccines for diphtheria and other diseases.
Regarding the anti-polio campaign, the Chief Minister announced that a seven-day vaccination drive has commenced across the country. In Sindh, this campaign was launched in advance to coincide with the Global Polio Day.
He highlighted that Pakistan reported a significant number of polio cases in 1994, with an estimated 20,000 children infected with the virus at that time.
The late Benazir Bhutto initiated the polio campaign in Pakistan, personally administering the first drops to her children, which led to a significant reduction in cases over the following years. However, there has been a resurgence in polio cases between 2018 and 2024.
Murad Ali Shah announced that 41 polio cases have been reported nationwide this year, with 12 cases identified in Sindh.
During the seven-day vaccination campaign, one million six hundred thousand children under the age of five in Sindh will receive polio vaccination drops, supported by 81,000 polio workers. He urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and to cooperate with the polio workers.
The Chief Minister directed all Deputy Commissioners to remain active in their areas to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign. Children aged six months to five years will also receive Vitamin A doses to enhance their immunity.
He expressed disappointment that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries still affected by the polio virus. He mentioned the embarrassment of having to show vaccination cards at airports to confirm polio vaccinations. Additionally, he criticised Irsa’s unlawful decision, stating that the matter would be taken to the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
The Chief Minister stated that refusal cases should be reported at the district, union council, and ward levels. This will allow daily reporting to assess refusal cases and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. “We have now reduced refusal cases by 50%,” he added.
Present at the event were Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, provincial ministers Syed Sardar Ali Shah and Zulfiqar Ali Shah, as well as singer and social activist Shehzad Roy, among others.
