UN, WHO condemn murder of polio campaigner

Muhammad Ishaq had been shot dead outside his clinic in Gadap Town on Friday.

The United Nations on Sunday condemned the killing of a local community worker in the Gadap Town area of Karachi on Friday who was part of a polio eradication initiative.

Muhammad Ishaq was shot and killed by unidentified armed men on Friday evening as he exited his clinic. He had worked with the national polio eradication effort as a Union Council Polio Worker for several months, helping to plan and implement vaccination campaigns to protect vulnerable children against the disease.

In a joint statement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said they were deeply saddened by the killing, stressing Ishaq was known for his dedication and diligence to immunise all children against polio.

“WHO, UNICEF and all of the polio partners in Pakistan and globally express their deepest sympathy to his family for this tragic loss,” the statement said. “The partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative remain committed to supporting the Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan in their efforts to eradicate this devastating disease.”

Polio immunisation activities were suspended in Sohrab Goth and Gadap Town earlier this week after a shooting incident injured two WHO staff members who were supporting the implementation and monitoring of a vaccination campaign.