Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, represented Pakistan at the High-Level Pledging Moment for Polio Eradication held today in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The Minister conveyed Pakistan’s profound gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his unwavering dedication to protecting millions of children from polio and for fostering a partnership rooted in trust, humanity, and shared purpose.
The Minister underscored that polio eradication in Pakistan is a moral obligation and solemn duty to future generations. He emphasized that Pakistan is fulfilling this obligation with unity, determination, and national resolve. He noted that Pakistan is progressing with the virus circulation at its lowest level in decades, vaccination quality continuously improving, surveillance at its strongest, and community trust steadily rising.
The Minister highlighted the country’s unified political leadership under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, making polio eradication a top national priority and incorporating polio infrastructure into broader health reforms under the URAAN Pakistan initiative. He also reaffirmed the importance of global partnerships, acknowledging the steadfast support of the UAE, the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CDC, and all GPEI partners.
Paying tribute to Pakistan’s frontline workers, Ahsan Iqbal described them as heroic women and men who traverse mountains, deserts, and rivers, often under challenging conditions, to ensure every child is protected. Their courage, he said, remains the beating heart of Pakistan’s eradication effort. In a significant announcement, the Minister declared that Pakistan is pledging USD 639.54 million over the next four years to help secure a polio-free future. He said that the commitment represents Pakistan’s resolve, ownership, and dedication towards completion of the polio eradication mission.
USD 1.2 billion has also been pledged by the Gates Foundation for polio eradication. On the margins of the event, Minister Ahsan Iqbal met Bill Gates, during which he reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to eradicating polio and conveyed the Prime Minister’s message of gratitude to Mr. Gates for his invaluable contributions to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
