ISLAMABAD: Former cricketer Wasim Akram was made polio ambassador on World Polio Day on Thursday.

ThelegendarycricketerWasim Akram and Coordinator National Emergency Operations Centre signed an agreement in the pres-ence of Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Country Representative of UNICEF in Pakistan Aida Girma and WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala,.

Under the agreement, Wasim Akram will assist the polio programme in raising awareness of polio vaccine at various public events.`Protecting children of Pakistan from the crippling disease of polio remains the top priority of the government,` said Dr Mirza while welcoming Wasim Akram as Polio Ambassador.

Wasim Akram expressed his commitment to work closely with the government and partners to eradicate polio.

`Pakistan and Afghanistanare the only two countries in the world struggling to halt the circulation and transmission of wild poliovirus. All children of Pakistan deserve a life free from vaccine preventable diseases.

This is a national cause. We need to commit ourselves to ensure vaccination of all children under the age of five. All children of Pakistan deserve a life free fromvaccine preventable diseases, he said.

The World Polio Day is observed every year on October 24 to commemorate the fight against polio and pay tribute to the ef forts of polio workers.

This year World Polio Day focuses on `Heroes of Polio Eradication` and `Progress Past and Present.