Pakistan reported its sixth polio case of the year on Saturday, confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP), from Thatta district in Sindh.
The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Regional Reference Laboratory has verified the case, marking the fourth polio case from Sindh this year. Earlier, one case was reported from Punjab and another from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In total, 74 polio cases emerged across the country in 2024, with Balochistan accounting for 27, Sindh for 23, KP for 22, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
Pakistan remains one of only two polio-endemic countries globally, alongside Afghanistan. While the country saw a significant decline in polio cases in recent years, the recent uptick in cases raises concern.
The first nationwide polio campaign of 2025 reached over 45 million children earlier this month, a statement from the Pakistan Polio Programme said.
