Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, addresses a protest rally in Peshawar on November 23, 2013. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The PTI Chairman decided to kick off this fresh campaign himself against polio, as terrorists continued their attacks on polio teams in the tribal areas. PTI leaders said it would be an attempt to boost the morale of polio workers who are constantly facing threats to their lives.
“Unless Pakistan can show serious resolve in carrying out its anti-polio programme, it stands in danger of being quarantined internationally – which will impact all Pakistanis travelling abroad including Pakistani labour,” Khan said in an official statement.
Khan said that he would spearhead the anti-polio programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa starting next week on behalf of the PTI, as “this debilitating but preventable disease must be eradicated to save our future generations from being disabled”.
The PTI Chairman called on all the political and religious leadership to join him and personally take a lead role in furthering the anti-polio drive.
He strongly condemned the continuing targeting of polio teams and their police escorts, including the latest incident in Swabi and Khyber Agency.
He called on the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government which is responsible for Federally Administered Tribal Areas, to take action to arrest the killers and to provide better security so that the anti-polio programme continues successfully.
COMMENTS (47)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Jehangir: Offices for Talibans, all over the country, yes IK for PM
Appreciate IK's stance.
But how many things IK will oversee himself? He is a leader of the 3rd largest party. Why does it look like he is the only man in his party.
We should criticize him because he is doing good. How can we support ? We want to be different.
IK - You are too good for Pakistan . Proud to be IK supporter !
Prime minister Pakistan - Imran Khan! Imran Khan!
I know Singh is King rhymes better... but seems like Khan is on his way to be the King (compared to our useless Singh).
Well done, Pakistani politics needs more such decisive and bold people.
Finally a positive step instead of blame game/negative criticism from PTI. Pakistan will progress if all leaders take an active and positive mindset towards our problems instead of trying to make political mileage from situation.
@Khalid: I think you need to read this my friend!! Great performance of your beloved NAWAZ SHARIF http://tribune.com.pk/story/645080/pakistans-total-debt-up-rs1-trillion-in-first-3-months-of-fiscal-year/
@tim: Hi tim. How about you wakeup to the real world. Ik hs said millions of times tht 9 year operation of army against terrorists was useless. Was their more militancy 9 years before? or now? we dont want.to be friends of ttp. We want nego to get peace.in region.
So PTI while checking trucks for Nato Merchandise... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Will also check Polio papers.
Well done.
At least DJ Butt is recieving free publicity from all the hyperbole.
So, let me see if I got this straight.
With respect to radical Islamists in FATA, IK wants to - stop hunting and killing the perpetrators of these acts with drones - negotiate with these guys - block supplies to put pressure on the US - talk about allowing polio vaccines
How about - take control of FATA - eradicate the terrorists - be an ally to the US
Ki mere qatl ke baad us ne jafa se tauba (Ghalib). Where was IK so far. Was he sleeping, out of country or did not know about this polio vaccination drive? Now new stunt.What about scores of this campaign' shot dead workers and those kids who got infested with polio due to nonavailability of the vaccination.A great hypocrisy.
Now I stand with him. Rid polio from KPK and I shall believe that you can be an agent of change.
@Khalid: And he can never become prime minister of Pakistan as he has no capabilities for this slot.
ETBLOGS1987
Respect! Strong politicial leadership is needed for this issue. I hope he is successful. Pakistan's children deserve a healthy polio free life.
IK you are a real leader of Pakistan!
No political leader has as much support in KP and FATA as Imran Khan. This is very good news for the polio eradication effort. We should all laud this effort, no matter the political party.
First Drones and Blockade, now Polio. It is obvious that only Imran Khan can fix Pakistan's problems. Nawaz Sharif should improve the county's situation drastically or he may be removed by the people.
I am telling you he possesses more guts than all the Pakistani politicos out there. Let him just work for one year in his province and he will prove his mettle. He is not a fundamentalist and neither is he a myopic man. He knows very well what he wants to achieve with his party in govt in K-P. He has a plan to deal with the deviant elements too. Just let him work. He has a vision and he can take Pakistan to many places. I hope he is able to build his 'Naya Pakistan' in K-P for which he has worked so hard. His party is a brilliant combination of many facets and I hope that the modernists and moderates in it prevail.
The one and only and that is Khan
One can never doubt his intentions to deliver. Haters keep hating. IK is the only hope. There's not a single area he has left unaddressed. Proud of you, sir.
Leader always lead by example. Sir u r really Pakistan khan
About time! IK is doing to Pakistan what no else can, the scourge of polio wrokers need to be eradicated!
excellent IK. keep it up. now you are on right track.
No second thought.The entire nation is with you on this issue.
Is it the first time that a polio worker has been targeted in Pakistan, why Mr. Khan woke up to the reality now as if this happened for the very first time??
Yes, Mr. Khan, otherwise,it will be difficult to get Indian VISA, as you know recently our lagisltaure has passed the law...
ET has to post this pic only...ET should understand that IK is not the prime minister of Pakistan but KPK. I wonder why media is silent on Nawaz and his government performance...Isnt it strange?
in another news PTI punjab president protested the demolition of a church wall in lahore and now imran wants to lead the polio campaign. i am not a big fan of khan's politics but if this is the path PTI choose to pursue now i am all prayers for the success of this change of heart.
So the leader again jumped in for saving the future of our children. Bravo! This will definitely boost up the morale of people. One request to the people. Do something on your own to protect your children, and brothers and sisters.
Leading from the front again. God Bless this man. I hope just for this cause (to eradicate Polio), we can all come together, no matter what political affiliations we have ....
I appreciate Mr.Khan
Khan the true lion ... InshahAllah NayaPakistan ..Ameen
Once again Imran Khan has shown that he is someone who leads from the front. That's true leadership!
That shows leadership - he deserves some Kudos.
Why does Imran khan have to do everything in the country!! Why don't our other political leaders, or shall I say cheaters realise what needs to be done. I personally feel failing the polio drives was a very well planned conspiracy against Pakistan which is showing it's effects now!! Well played Neighbours!!
Please for God's sake do something. We are losing the war against polio. You and your militant partners have reversed all the gains we made in the 1990s. BTW, any plans on arresting the killers of the polio teams? Or the terrorists will continue to enjoy immunity.
Now that's something for which I'm willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Imran Khan and PTI.
We love you Pakistan Khan. 180 million people and only 1 Imran Khan.