ID :
208676
Wed, 09/21/2011 - 19:06
Auther :

Govt committed to eradicate polio from the country: Kundi

ISLAMABAD, September 21, 2011 (PPI): Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi has said that government of Pakistan is fully committed to eradicate polio from the country and support from international community in this regard would supplement its efforts.

He said that Japanese support for an extensive polio immunization and eradication initiative in the country against the crippling disease would help a lot in completely wiping out polio from the country. He expressed there views while talking to 9-members Japanese Polio Eradication Parliamentary league headed by Yasutoshi Nisimura, Member House of Representative who called on him here on Wednesday.

Talking to delegation the Deputy Speaker said that polio eradication was one of the top priorities of the government, adding that polio eradication program was launched in Pakistan in 1994 by the then Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The program has prevented million of children from falling by prey to polio in the country, however, unfortunately, the goal of complete eradication of polio from the country could not be achieved some cases of polio have been registered in some part of the country. He appreciated the Japanese assistance to Government of Pakistan for eradication of polio in Pakistan.

The Deputy Speaker said that Pakistan value high its relations with Japan and desire to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations through enhance parliamentary ties and economic cooperation. He said that Japan was an important country and its contributions in developmental projects, eradication of poverty, diseases and literacy from the poor countries was remarkable. He appreciated the Japanese assistance in various sectors of economy and contributions in curbing terrorism and extremism in Pakistan.

He also apprised the delegation about the devastation caused by recent flood in Sindh, adding that the recent floods were unprecedented and million of people were displaced besides causing colossal loss to infrastructure, crops and livelihood. He said that the government has given top priority to flood affected peoples however, the magnitude of the devastation was so big that it require the support of friendly countries like Japan.

Kundi also apprised the visiting delegates about the young parliamentarians forum in the National Assembly and said that the forum was established to highlight the problems of young people and to established parliamentary relation with young parliamentarians of the world. The Deputy Speaker also called for enhanced interaction between young parliamentarians of both the countries.

Yasutoshi Nisimura informed the Deputy Speaker that government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of $65 million to Government of Pakistan for Polio eradication. He said that this assistance will be utilized to procure polio vaccine and for the remuneration to vaccinators.

He said that Pakistan was playing an important role for peace and prosperity in the region and appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting peace in the region, curbing terrorism and extremism. He also assured the Deputy Speaker of Japanese support and assistance for flood affected people and development projects in Pakistan.


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