Due to security concerns following recent terrorist attacks in the Tank and DI Khan (Dera Ismail Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the polio vaccination drive has been suspended by the provincial administration. Originally scheduled to commence on December 18, the drive was also postponed in November.
The decision comes in the wake of heightened security risks, including an attack on a building in the Police Lines area in Tank, resulting in the death of three policemen. The Inter-Services Public Relations reported that all five terrorists involved were killed during the operation.
This move follows a series of attacks in the region, including incidents where at least 25 army soldiers were martyred in Dera Ismail Khan. Polio cases remain a concern in Pakistan, with six reported this year, including four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Punjab, according to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme.
Furthermore, the presence of poliovirus in environmental samples collected from various districts underscores the ongoing risk and challenges in eradicating the virus.
Federal Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem Jan highlighted the constant threat of poliovirus transmission through cross-border factors, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety of all children.
