Targeting polio workers is injustice to Pakistan, Islam: Imran Khan

AKORA KHATTAK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan kick started his polio campaign on Wednesday, in Akora Khattak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

All ldrs must be on board 2 fight polio which is debilitating but preventable. We owe this 2 r children & 2 r country.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2013

K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak and Secretary General of PTI Jahangir Tareen were also in attendance.

The PTI Chairman had decided last week to kick off this polio campaign himself, as terrorists continued their attacks on polio teams in the tribal areas.

Imran said it would be an attempt to boost the morale of polio workers who are constantly facing threats to their lives. He spoke about the dangers polio workers and police face while administrating polio vaccinations. He said “whoever is targeting polio workers and policemen, is committing an injustice towards Islam, K-P and Pakistan.”

The PTI Chairman spoke to local residents about polio and how important it is to tackle the disease.

“If polio is not dealt with in time and if it spreads, no local resident will be able to leave K-P and go abroad to work,” he said.

He lamented that “Polio is a disease that has been terminated worldwide and now only exists in Pakistan...our children’s future depends on polio vaccines.”

While declaring that he will personally head this campaign, Imran stated “If the right measures are taken, polio will be eradicated from Pakistan in the next three months.”

Began polio campaign today in KP. Administered polio drops to children at RHC Akora Khattak. pic.twitter.com/SF5HOsRWB4

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2013

The move was lauded by Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, who is the national ambassador for polio vaccination.

We finally have all provinces united against #polio

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) December 18, 2013