Authorities say tighter controls on the movement of people and goods across the border have strengthened monitoring systems and reduced opportunities for the virus to spread. The Pakistan–Afghanistan border has long posed a challenge for polio eradication due to frequent and largely unmanaged population movement. Health officials say that better regulation of cross-border movement and the repatriation of undocumented Afghan immigrants have reduced this risk. With more structured border management, vaccination at transit points has improved and mobile populations are now easier to track. Experts emphasise that while vaccination remains the cornerstone of eradication, Pakistan’s experience in 2025 shows that regulated cross-border movement is a critical public health measure, particularly in the final stages of eliminating the virus.

Source: The Patriot January 14, 2026 08:37 UTC