Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that the polio will be completely eradicated from Pakistan soon with the cooperation of international partners and hard work of national institutions.

He was talking to a delegation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative led by Dr Christopher Elias, Chair of Polio Oversight Board and president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Development Division in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister said polio is a deadly disease and we are committed for its complete eradication from Pakistan.

He also directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign in cooperation with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to eliminate the virus from Pakistan. 

Shehbaz Sharif assured accountability of all the organizations involved in running the anti-polio campaign and said that transparency will also be ensured in this process. He said foolproof security will be provided to the vaccination teams, participating in the polio eradication drive.

The Prime Minister also welcomed a donation of five hundred million dollars from Saudi Arabia for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative announced at the World Economic Forum.

He said Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation is vital for complete polio eradication from the region.

The delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the progress regarding the ongoing anti-polio measures in Pakistan. Members of the delegation commended resolve of the Government of Pakistan for polio eradication.

Besides, they informed the Prime Minister about problems in the way of immunization against the poliovirus in Pakistan.

The delegation acknowledged the necessary technical expertise and determination at the national and the government level to make anti-polio campaign a success.

Paying tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dr Christopher Elias said Bill Gates is greatly impressed by the steps he had taken for polio eradication during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab.