Islamabad - Federal Health Minister Saira Afzal Tarar said that the present government took the challenge of the polio outbreak as it took office in 2013 and with all out efforts, the country reported only 8 cases at the end of 2017 and no case so far during the current year.

Like load-shedding, terrorism, law and order in Karachi, we surmounted the polio challenge as well with bold decisions, commitment and good governance, the minister said in a statement in connection with the fresh round of anti-polio vaccination starting February 12 in various parts of the country.

Pakistan was the target of criticism for polio spread. Today it is quoted as example of how political will and commitment could turn things around, she said. We will not rest till there is no cases of polio in the country and there is no risk to our children, said the minister.

She appealed to parents to make this polio round a success like previous rounds.