Pakistan’s Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has announced plans to visit Kabul to enhance cross-border cooperation with Afghanistan in the fight to eradicate polio. The minister did not specify the date of the visit.
According to a report published by The Nation on Wednesday, 25 June, Kamal made the announcement during a high-level meeting convened to review ongoing challenges related to the polio virus. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “strong political and operational commitment” to eliminating polio, calling the effort not just a public health initiative but “a national mission.”
Kamal added that vaccination campaigns remain among the government’s top health priorities and noted that targeted efforts are under way, particularly in southern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which remain vulnerable to outbreaks.
He praised Afghanistan’s recent progress in tackling polio, stating that it may reach eradication ahead of Pakistan.
According to official figures, at least 11 new polio cases have been recorded in Pakistan and two in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2025. Last year, Pakistan reported 74 cases, while Afghanistan recorded 25.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains endemic.
