The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially extended international travel restrictions on Pakistan for another three months. This decision was driven by the continued transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) within the country, particularly due to unregulated cross-border movement and displaced populations, according to a report by ARY News.
The international health body emphasized that without strict monitoring, the virus could easily spread beyond Pakistan’s borders, putting global polio eradication efforts at risk.
Why the WHO Took This Step
The restrictions were decided during the 42nd meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee for Polio, held virtually on June 18, 2025. The committee included representatives from polio-affected countries, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, which remain the only nations with ongoing wild polio transmission.
Participants expressed concern that WPV1 continues to spread despite years of immunization efforts, making the situation both a national and international health emergency.
High-Risk Zones Within Pakistan
According to the WHO, several regions in Pakistan remain hotspots for the poliovirus. These include:
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Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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Quetta Block
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Southern Afghanistan (cross-border impact)
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Karachi
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Peshawar
In addition, recent surveillance has revealed a significant rise in polio-positive sewage samples, indicating silent transmission in urban areas. Notably affected provinces include:
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Sindh
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Balochistan
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Central regions of Pakistan
This signals that asymptomatic carriers may be playing a key role in keeping the virus alive in communities.
New Cases and Immunization Gaps Raise Alarms
Adding to the challenge, the committee flagged:
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A new polio case reported from Gilgit-Baltistan, a region previously considered low-risk.
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A growing number of children who are either missed or refused vaccinations, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.
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Difficulties in reaching certain populations due to geographic, security, and misinformation barriers.
These setbacks have significantly undermined vaccination efforts, leading WHO to conclude that Pakistan is unlikely to meet its 2025 goal of eliminating polio.
Praise for Progress, Despite Setbacks
Despite these concerns, WHO commended Pakistan for its aggressive vaccination drives and commitment at the federal and provincial levels. The efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration, provincial task forces, and frontline health workers were acknowledged as vital to sustaining momentum.
WHO expressed “confidence in the quality” of Pakistan’s campaigns, particularly in high-risk urban zones, and highlighted the importance of consistent political will.
What Lies Ahead
The WHO has laid out a roadmap for the next three months and beyond:
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Bilateral coordination between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially for synchronized border-area campaigns.
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Stronger surveillance systems, including environmental sampling and stool testing.
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Public awareness campaigns to reduce vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
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Mandatory oral polio vaccine (OPV) certificates for all outbound international travelers from Pakistan.
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Real-time tracking of missed children and vaccination team performance.
When Will the Next Review Happen?
WHO plans to reassess the situation after three months to determine if any improvements have been made. Until then, travel restrictions will remain in place, and Pakistan’s global image will continue to be under scrutiny.
Health officials are calling this a make-or-break period for Pakistan’s polio program, urging both local communities and international partners to remain engaged.
