Islamabad, September 1, 2025 — Pakistan has reported yet another case of poliovirus, raising this year’s total count to 24 cases nationwide, health officials confirmed on Monday.
Case Details
According to the National Reference Laboratory, the latest case has been detected in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The affected child is a 20-month-old girl from UC Ping, Jandola Tehsil in District Tank.
This brings the total number of polio cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2025 to 16, of which 14 cases have been reported from the southern belt alone.
Provincial Breakdown of Polio Cases in 2025
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): 16 cases (14 from southern KP).
- Sindh: 6 cases.
- Punjab: 1 case.
- Gilgit-Baltistan (GB): 1 case.
Genetic Analysis Underway
Health officials stated that genetic sequencing of the virus is ongoing to determine its origin and transmission links. Such investigations are crucial for tracking the spread of the virus and implementing targeted vaccination campaigns.
Challenges in Vaccination Campaigns
Sources highlighted that the Jandola region has long faced security challenges, making it extremely difficult for vaccination drives to be carried out effectively. The inability to conduct regular immunization campaigns leaves children vulnerable to the poliovirus.
National Health Concern
The emergence of this case underlines the persistent challenge Pakistan faces in eradicating polio. Despite intensive vaccination efforts, gaps in coverage — particularly in security-compromised areas — continue to hinder progress. Health experts fear that unless these challenges are addressed, the virus could continue to resurface, threatening the country’s goal of achieving a polio-free status.
The Ministry of Health is expected to review the situation and announce special strategies to ensure immunization campaigns can reach high-risk areas, especially in southern KP where most of the cases are concentrated.
