‘Political figures’ blamed for spreading rumours to target K-P polio drive

K-P information minister says a probe is under way against the people involved in creating a panic-like situation

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai on Tuesday alleged some political figures were seen behind fake news that hindered anti-polio campaign in the province.

Speaking at a news conference in Peshawar, the minister said he did not wish to give more details about the report in this regard but insisted that an investigation was underway and actions were being taken against the people involved in creating a panic-like situation in K-P.

Panic spread across the province on Monday after reports that several children were rushed to nearby health facilities after consuming anti-polio vaccine. Both the school administration and the affected parents suspected the children got sick because of the polio vaccine. However, health officials rejected their claims.

Fake news hinders anti-polio campaign in K-P

Family members and area residents resorted to agitation in protest against the incident. Some people also protested as the news spread and burnt down a health facility in Peshawar.

“Administrating polio drop is volunteer work. Do you want to keep your children in danger zone?” asked Yousafzai in the press conference.

According to the K-P information minister, “There are 25,000 children who should get polio drops but not a single child was there to get the drops yesterday. The same polio drops were administered to the children everywhere but there have been no complaints.”

Suspect arrested in Peshawar after conspiring against anti-polio campaign

“A planned conspiracy is being hatched to create chaos. But we have to eradicate polio the way we have eradicated terrorism from the province,” he vowed.

“We have to eradicate polio from the country and not make the campaign a political matter.”

The minister also lauded the role media played in this regards and for highlighting the importance of the issue.