Notwithstanding its ban on films from India, Pakistan Government plans to cash in on the popularity of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai by inviting her to kick-start the next round of polio immunisation campaign in the country.

Indian health minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Nasir Khan have decided to exchange their respective polio ambassadors.

Mr Khan said.”This year we intend to build up excitement in the next round of polio campaign scheduled for the last week of September by involving two polio ambassadors of the region namely Indian film actress Aishwarya Rai and Pakistan’s pop star Jawad Ahmed”

He said preparations are on to hold two functions, one each in Pakistan and India, involving both stars to send a positive message, highlighting the need for saving children by completely wiping out the virus from the region.

“If successfully translated into reality, the event would boost confidence-building efforts between the two countries,” he said asserting health has no colour, creed or religion and has a pivotal role to play in bringing the two countries closer, local daily Dawn reported.

The decision to invite the former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai, who is extremely popular among Pakistanis, comes after a recent decision by the Pakistan Government to continue the ban on screening of Indian films and not to permit even the joint productions being planned by Pakistan and Indian film producers despite strong appeals from the local industry.

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