As Pakistan steps into the new year, the familiar sight of a nationwide polio vaccination drive once again takes centre stage. More than 45 million children are being targeted in this latest campaign, supported by tens of thousands of health workers across Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Balochistan. The effort is backed by extensive security arrangements, including the deployment of 50,000 police personnel in KP alone. The scale is impressive, but the real question remains whether this year will mark the decisive turn in Pakistan’s long struggle against polio.

The country has made progress. Reported cases fell to 31 in 2025, down from 74 the previous year. Yet the virus continues to circulate in pockets such as North Waziristan and parts of Karachi, keeping Pakistan among the last two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. For a nation that has repeatedly pledged eradication, the persistence of transmission is both a public health challenge and a matter of national credibility.

To succeed, vaccination campaigns must focus on quality rather than optics. It is not enough to announce large numbers of teams or doses; what matters is ensuring that no child is missed, especially in urban slums, conflict zones, and among mobile populations. Micro-planning must be precise, monitoring must be independent, and data must be transparent down to the union council level. Where families refuse vaccination, persuasion must come through trusted voices—community elders, religious scholars, and women health workers who command respect. Heavy-handed tactics may secure short-term compliance but risk alienating communities in the long run.

Polio eradication also requires attention beyond the vaccine. The virus thrives in environments of poor sanitation and contaminated water. Unless Pakistan invests in clean water schemes, sewage systems, and routine immunisation for children, each campaign will remain a temporary fix rather than a permanent solution. Public health infrastructure must be strengthened so that emergency drives are complemented by lasting improvements in hygiene and disease prevention.

Security for vaccinators is another critical dimension. Thousands of police officers are deployed during campaigns, but protection must be smarter and more consistent. Threat assessments should guide route planning, and intelligence-led coordination is essential in high-risk areas. Attacks on health workers must be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted swiftly. Those who risk their lives to protect children deserve the full protection of the state.

Polio eradication is not beyond reach. It is not a technical impossibility but a test of governance, political will, and community trust. If 2026 is to be remembered as the year Pakistan finally defeated polio, the government must match the scale of its campaigns with sustained commitment, transparent monitoring, and unwavering security. The virus has lingered for decades, but with resolve and unity, it can be consigned to history.