A senior delegation from Rotary International, headed by President Francesco Arezzo, met with the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad to discuss ongoing efforts and challenges in eradicating polio from Pakistan.
The delegation included Holger Knaack, Chair of the Rotary Foundation; Mike McGovern, Chair of the International PolioPlus Committee; Aziz Memon, National Chair of the Pakistan PolioPlus Committee; and representatives from Rotary’s Islamabad Chapter. They were warmly welcomed by Ayesha Raza Farooq, who highlighted Pakistan’s recent progress in the fight against polio. She cited improvements in vaccination campaign quality, a decline in polio cases—particularly in the Quetta block—and continued strong political support.
Farooq also emphasized the persistent difficulties in certain regions, especially South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where challenges to polio eradication remain. On behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she expressed gratitude for Rotary International’s long-standing partnership and commitment to eliminating the disease.
Rotary President Francesco Arezzo commended the leadership and dedication of Ayesha Raza Farooq in advancing Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign. He stressed that as international funding for polio programs decreases, unity and steadfast commitment are crucial to finally overcoming the disease in Pakistan.
