Power outages: NGO threatens to stop polio drive

PESHAWAR:

Sheikhan Welfare Organisation (SWO) has threatened to stop the ongoing polio campaign by force if prolonged power outages are not reduced in UC Sheikhan. According to locals, the area sees one hour of power supply on a daily basis.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, SWO general secretary Jehangir said load-shedding has made life miserable.

He said tube wells cannot function without electricity. This forced residents to turn to open drains to source water. The general secretary claims people of the area are suffering from gastric diseases and even hepatitis.

“The government is busy with polio campaigns,” he said, adding the organisation’s volunteers will stop the drive by force—unarmed—if the government pays no heed.

“We will also close down all schools in three villages of Sheikhan if the government still turns a blind eye,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2015.