A screengrab of a Pashtun man receiving polio drops from the video.
In his interview he said “We were told we would receive polio drops at Jeddah Airport.”
Further commenting on his views he added, “Had polio drops been harmful or dangerous why would Saudi Arabia being a Muslim country allow them?”
He also stated, “We used to think that the foreigners were deceiving us with polio drops. We would wonder why they would spend so much money on us.We thought our children would die from these drops and that they were trying to erase Pakistan’s future generations. But that’s not the case. Had that been true, Pakistan’s population would have decreased instead of increasing at the rate it is.”
While talking about the perspective of the Pashtun community regarding polio drops Medical Officer, Health Department Dr Assadullah Khan stated that “The pashtun community is of the view that on one hand the West is bombing its northern areas and Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and on the other they are providing polio drops to keep our children safe -- so they wonder about these conflicting policies.”
He also mentioned, “We have to clarify to them the fact that those dropping bombs are not involved in the health sector, just like the health sector doesn't go fight wars in battlefields, nor are they part of any army.”
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This film is part of Black Box Sounds production, an initiative specializing in production aimed at social and development issues, behavior change communication and mass awareness since 2006. For further information, you can visit their website or Facebook page.
COMMENTS (16)
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The author has failed to mention the real reason for the failure of Polio Vaccination Program. The real reason is that the illiterate/poor Muslims are misinformed that the Polio Drops will lower their Libido and they wont be able to have more than two Kids thus reducing their Birth rate. Ya that's true, because I was myself kicked out of a locality where the elders had this notion, while I on a government Polio vaccination drive. These people just want to out breed others and hence is the failure of this program.
One thing is sure. Half of the Pasthun younger generation suffer from polio and limping throughout their lives. Saudi Arabia will ban Pasthuns to visit Mecca on Haj.
@Ali: You're a special kind of stupid aren't you? My Salaams to Zaid Hamid and AQ or who ever it is that you follow!
@Falcon: Rage? I haven't even yet commented on the Veena Malik issue on ET. Have you read the comments there??? Thankfully I had an errand to run else I would have rage - trolled that page.
Its sickening and saddening to see that myopic ways and attitudes are harming kids in Pakistan... Polio drops are life savers!! This 'anti-polio drops drive' as an ulterior motive by some people in Pakistan is extremely frustrating; what have those poor kids done to deserve this?
@Pakistani: Dr. Afridi did a favor to mankind! Enough said.
@Ali:
Polio is a virus which is being given only to Muslim countries. OPen your mind.
Does India look like a 'Muslim Country' to you?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Pulse-police-drive-to-start-from-September-15/articleshow/22238863.cms
Brother, whether you open your mind or not, at least pull your head out of the sand. PLEASE.
@Ali: Wow, so "Polio Is a virus which is being given only to Muslim countries"!!! And of course you can provide all of us with credible references to support your delusions. Talk about a closed mind clutching at conspiracy theories!
@BRUISED INDIAN: Dude. Chill out. Why so much rage?
If US or the West in general wanted to harm the health of the common man in Pakistan, it would have subsidized gutka and manepuri. While people buy poisonous gutka with their hard earned money and joepardize their health, free polio drops are off limits for their kids as they can harm their development........ Such ignorance.
polio drops are not harmful but polio worker and doctors like Shakeel Afridi are certainly harmful for Pakistan.
From Saudi, Pakistanis have picked up what they should not (wahabism) and did not pick up what they should (polio drops). Very clever guys indeed.
Saudia's action is not a criteria to judge the outcomes.
Polio is a virus which is being given only to Muslim countries.
OPen your mind.
Very good point. This should be used to counter the propaganda by TTP. Tableeghi Jamat can seize this opportunity and spread this notion. This is going to a positive contribution by TJ towards Pakistan and people will start believing in their sincerity. God forbid if polio is not eradicated then Pakistanis will not be allowed to travel abroad.
someone please gently pour these words in the ears and minds of taliban plz!