Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the government is taking priority measures to secure the future of the nation's children. He made these remarks while meeting with a delegation from the Partnership for Lead-Free Future and UNICEF in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, the delegation included UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside, Director of the Lead-Free Future Secretariat Abdullah Fazil, and experts from Stanford University School of Medicine, Jenna Forsyth and Thomas Hird. During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's commitment to eradicating polio, emphasizing that it remains a top priority for the government.
The Prime Minister highlighted the significant challenge posed by lead exposure, which affects children's mental and physical development. He assured the delegation that the government, in collaboration with international partners, is dedicated to implementing all possible measures to mitigate the harmful effects of lead.
The delegation expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his leadership and briefed him on their recent survey conducted during their visit to Pakistan. They praised the government's efforts to protect children from polio and other diseases and commended initiatives in health, education, youth training, and information technology.
Additionally, the delegation shared insights on the adverse health impacts of lead, pinpointed affected regions in Pakistan, and stressed the importance of raising public awareness about its detrimental effects.