Pakistan safer than ever before: UN chief

Acknowledging that Pakistan is now safer than ever before, United Nations Organization (UNO) Secretary General Antonio Guterres Tuesday said that fatal disease of polio can effectively be fought out through joint and concerted efforts.

He was talking to media after administering anti-polio vaccine to children up to five years of age at a private school in DHA area. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and high officials of concerned departments were also present.

The UN Secretary General said: "Together we can eliminate polio from across the world, and I appeal all the world leaders to join hands to fight out polio." He said eradication of polio from the world is his top most priority for which the UNO has been putting in comprehensive measures.

The UN Secretary General appreciated government of Pakistan as well as Punjab government's efforts to control hazardous polio virus saying. "I am glad to be here in Pakistan. I am here in solidarity with anti-polio workers who rendered even their lives for this noble cause of humanity."

Welcoming the UN Secretary General to Punjab, Dr Yasmin Rashid said: "We are grateful to you for visiting Pakistan." She said the government was working day and night to control polio while the Prime Minister was also utilizing all possible resources for eradication of polio. She hoped that "one day soon Pakistan will be polio-free."

She elaborated that a total of 45,000 workers were engaged in anti-polio drive in Punjab for door-to-door vaccination while anti-polio vaccination centres were also established in the province. Children up to five years of age have also been vaccinated at railway stations, bus stands and other public places, she said, adding: "No polio infection case has so far been reported in Punjab."