According to the WHO, type 2 strain of the polio virus (P2) has been eradicated globally since 1999, Radio Pakistan reported.

He said all the provinces except Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have brought down the number of polio cases significantly.

"We believe that Pakistan is on the right track to become free of poliovirus type P3, as the last P3 case was reported in the Bara Tehsil in Khyber Agency in the second week of April 2012, whereas all recent sewage samples show no active transmission of the P3 strain across the country," Dr Elias Durry said.

"Pakistan successfully brought down the number of cases by 71 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011. All provinces except Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have brought down the number of cases from 66 per cent to 95 per cent," says the official.

Dr. Durry said last year Balochistan brought down the number of polio cases by 95 per cent, Sindh by 88 per cent, Punjab by 78 per cent and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) by 66 percent.

"The most promising sign for Pakistan during the last year was a massive decrease in the number of polio cases during the high transmission season," he said.

He said the last polio case of 2012 was reported on Nov 30 and a small number of samples from last year was still pending with the polio virology lab for evaluation. "Most likely, Pakistan is going to close its tally of 2012 polio cases at 58," Dr. Durry said.