Ulema moot targets polio eradication

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government organized a one-day Ulema Conference in Bannu district, aiming to engage religious scholars in the mission to make the district polio-free.

The conference, attended by distinguished scholars and key officials, sought to harness the influential role of Ulema in eradicating contagious diseases like polio through collaborative efforts.

Prominent figures such as Advisor to Caretaker Chief Minister on Health, Dr Riaz Anwar, Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir, Bannu Division Commissioner Parvez Sabatkhel, and other officials participated in the conference.

Scholars including Maulana Mufti Abdul Ghani, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, and Maulana Qari Muhammad Roman actively contributed to discussions on eliminating the polio virus and strategized on the vital role scholars can play in achieving a polio-free Bannu.

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Dr Riaz Anwar emphasized the severe consequences of polio, highlighting the permanent physical disability it inflicts on children and the subsequent impact on families. Urging for widespread polio vaccination, he emphasized the importance of education and awareness to combat the spread of the virus.

Secretary Health Mahmood Aslam Wazir underscored the pivotal role of scholars in raising awareness within society and sought their cooperation to meet the government’s December deadline for eradicating polio in the region.

Commissioner Bannu, Parvez Sabat Khel, expressed concern over the defamation of Bannu globally due to misconceptions about polio vaccination. He called for scholars to spread awareness and emphasized the crucial need for special prayers for the policemen who sacrificed their lives during polio campaigns.

Former District Khatib Mufti Abdul Ghani asked scholars for their support in ensuring the success of the anti-polio campaign, urging a collective effort against the virus.