PESHAWAR: The first day of Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign was overshadowed by violence, as unknown gunmen opened fire on polio workers, resulting in the deaths of two individuals in separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
A policeman, who was providing security for a polio vaccination team, was martyred in the Shakar Khel area of Banda Daud Shah tehsil in Karak. He was shot by armed assailants, and a polio worker was also injured in the attack, according to police reports. In a separate attack, another polio worker was gunned down in Bannu’s Kala Khel Masti Khan area while on his way to work.
Police noted that the suspects fled the scene after the incidents, and suggested that the killing of the polio worker in Bannu may be linked to an old personal feud. Investigations are ongoing.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the Karak attack and expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of the policeman. He called the terrorists enemies of the country and its future, accusing them of trying to undermine the health and prosperity of the people of Pakistan. The president urged the public to actively participate in the ongoing polio vaccination campaign.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his concern, directing immediate medical assistance for the injured polio worker. He condemned the attacks on health workers who are dedicated to eradicating the crippling disease, emphasizing that such violence would not deter the government’s efforts to combat polio. He assured that all necessary resources would be mobilized to protect health workers and curb the spread of the virus.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the attack on the polio team in Karak as “extremely regrettable” and expressed his sorrow over the policeman’s death. The governor requested a report on the incident and instructed that the injured polio worker receive all available treatment.
First Lady and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemned the attacks on polio workers via social media platform X (formerly Twitter). She denounced the cowardly acts targeting healthcare workers and security personnel, stressing that these attacks aim to undermine efforts to protect children. Aseefa urged the public to support the vaccination campaign and raise awareness in their communities.
These incidents occurred on the first day of the countrywide polio vaccination campaign, which aims to vaccinate around 44 million children to prevent the spread of the disease. So far, 63 cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan this year.
Attacks on polio workers have been a recurring issue, with terrorists frequently targeting vaccination teams over the years. Last month, a bomb attack in Balochistan’s Mastung district killed at least nine people, including five schoolchildren and a policeman, as security personnel were guarding a polio vaccination team.
The security challenges and other factors continue to affect the government’s efforts to eradicate polio. Despite significant progress in reducing the number of cases, Pakistan remains one of only two polio-endemic countries, along with Afghanistan. However, recent years have seen a rise in cases, with more than 60% of children affected in 2024 not having received routine immunization.
Balochistan, the most affected province, has reported 26 polio cases so far this year. In response to the recent spike in cases, a high-level committee has been established to improve coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
