Suspect arrested in Peshawar after conspiring against anti-polio campaign

Suspect asked children to act sick while being checked by medical staff

Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect for conspiring against the on-going anti-polio campaign in Peshawar, Express News reported.

The suspect identified as Nazar Gul had initiated propaganda against the ongoing polio campaign and asked children to act sick in Hayatabad Medical Complex while asking healthy children to lie on the bed and pose as unconscious.

However, the individual denied any wrongdoing after being arrested by the police.

Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication Babar bin Atta said in a tweet that the police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 12 individuals who were behind the Peshawar polio drama.

Police register FIR against 12 individuals who were behind the #PeshawarPolioDrama. Raids being conducted to get all of them arrested. I am in touch with Peshawar Police Chief & following up on all updates. InshaAllah not a single one will be spared. pic.twitter.com/pIO1qRTxbX

— Babar Atta (@babarbinatta) April 23, 2019

Protesters on Monday burnt down a health facility in Peshawar following reports that multiple children had fallen sick after consuming anti-polio vaccine.

The protest was triggered by hearsay as medics at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, where most of the children were taken, said that an overwhelming majority of them were fine.

The protesters mobbed the Basic Health Unit Mashokhel, ransacked the premises before setting it on fire.

What triggered the rumours?

Several children allegedly felt unwell after a health team vaccinated them against polio at a local school. They were rushed to the LHR and other health facilities.

The school administration and the affected parents blamed the vaccine but health officials disputed the claim.

“The anti-polio vaccine is the safest vaccine that has protected millions of children from disabilities. The polio vaccine is administered to millions of children during every polio campaign without any adverse effects,” said EOC Coordinator Capt (retd) Kamran Afridi.