Khyber Agency’s suspended polio drive to start soon

Afridi says drive was delayed as proper security measures were not taken in subdivisions of Khyber Agency.

LANDIKOTAL/ JAMRUD:

The polio campaign that was to be launched from March 10 till March 14 in Khyber Agency, was suspended due to security reasons and will start sometime next week, said the agency surgeon, Dr Muhammad Afridi.

While speaking to the media on Saturday, Afridi said the drive was delayed as proper security measures were not taken in Jamrud and Bara subdivisions of Khyber Agency. The doctor said that after a meeting with the political administration, the next date for the campaign was decided upon, claiming all preparations had been made for it this time.

Afridi mentioned that most workers taking part in the campaign were reluctant because the World Health Organization (WHO) has not paid them for the months of November, December and January as yet. He added, however, that WHO officials have assured them that the salaries will be paid within the next three days.

Khyber Agency Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah told the media that a foolproof plan has been chalked out for the upcoming campaign by tribal elders, security forces, political administration officials and health department officials.

He said it would be launched in all three subdivisions of the agency.

Polio campaigns have been suspended in the agency on a number of previous occasions; at times due to the volatile law and order situation, at others due to the refusal of workers to launch the campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2014.