Islamabad, August 25, 2021, Members of 10 political parties met in an All Parties Conference (APC) and resolved to make Pakistan Polio free in a Joint Declaration binding all parties to assist and support the polio eradication efforts being implemented by Polio Eradication center and also help bring a compulsory immunization bill in the parliament.
The All Parties Conference was organised by PILDAT.
Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT welcomed the participants and said that in these COVID times although our main focus is vaccination against COVID but the Polio situation also cannot be overlooked. He further said that although the polio cases in Pakistan are on a decline but efforts are needed to completely eradicate the disease. The APC will send a very strong message to the nation that despite the political differences, political parties can come together on the issues of national interest and a combined political will
Dr. Nadeem Shah from the National Emergency Operation Center gave a detailed presentation on the polio situation in Pakistan and highlighted the high risk areas and requested members of political parties to support the polio eradication teams. He also stressed on the need for a compulsory immunization legislation.
The political leadership appreciated the efforts of the Polio Eradication teams and pledged their support for the complete eradication of the menace.
Senator Faisal Subzwari of MQMP assured the participants of his party’s support in the Parliament for passing any legislation aimed at eradicating polio. Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Former Senator and Secretary Membership and Training PML-N said that while she had presented a bill for compulsory immunization in the Parliament but it lapsed and was not presented in the house. She said that she will be very happy to share that bill with the parties and it can be presented in the Parliament by any party as it was for the larger good of the country.
Following members from Political Parties attended the APC:
PTI
- Dr. Nausheen Hamid – MNA (Parliamentary Secretary Health & President Women wing)
- Dr. Humayun Momend – Member CEC
PML-N
- Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq – Former Senator (Secretary Membership and Training)
- Mr. Nisar Cheema – MNA
PPPP
- Senator Rubina Khalid
- Ms. Malaika Raza, Assistant to Chairman PPPP
- Mr. Shakeel Abbasi, President Islamabad District, PPPP
JUI
- Mr. Asghar Tareen, MPA (Pishin)
- Moulana Nasir Mehmood Soomro, Member CEC (Larkana)
- Hafiz Qasim Lehri, Member CEC (Killa-Abdullah)
PML
- Mrs. Farrukh Khan, MNA
- Mr. Rizwan Mumtaz, Senior Advisor
- Mr. Shakir Ali, Social Media Strategist
MQMP
- Senator Faisal Subzwari, Member Raabta Committee
- Ms. Kishwar Zahra, MNA, Member Raabta Committee
- Mrs. Raana Ansar, MPA
BNP:
- Mr. Abdur Rauf Mengal, former MNA and Member CEC
JIP
- Dr. Fareed Ahmed Piracha, Naib Ameer
- Dr. Anwar Ahmed Bigwi, Head of Medical Department, Mansoorah
- Dr. Ata Ur Rehman, Provincial Head Medical Department, KP
NP:
- Mr. Jan Muhammad Buledi – Secretary General
- Mr. Khair Baksh – Provincial Secretary General
- Dr. Ishaq Baloch – Secretary Information