Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with a delegation from UNICEF and welcomed them to Pakistan.

The delegation was led by UNICEF Representative Pernille Ironside and included Abdullah Fadil, Director of the Secretariat for a Lead-Free Future, along with experts Jenna Forsyth and Thomas Hird from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Mustafa Kamal, and Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior officials, were also present during the meeting.

The prime minister emphasised that safeguarding children’s future remains a top priority for the government, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating Polio.

He highlighted the serious risks posed by lead exposure, noting that it can cause both mental and physical developmental issues in children, and described it as a pressing public health concern requiring immediate action.

Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s resolve to collaborate with international partners to mitigate the harmful effects of lead and improve child health outcomes.

Members of the delegation appreciated the government’s efforts, particularly in tackling diseases such as polio, and shared findings from their recent survey in Pakistan. They also briefed the prime minister on areas affected by lead exposure and stressed the importance of raising public awareness on the issue.