Polio Team
A tragic incident occurred in Balochistan’s Nushki district on Monday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team, resulting in the martyrdom of a police officer assigned to provide security for the campaign.
The attack took place in the Killi Muhammad Hassani area, where the vaccination drive was underway as part of a province-wide initiative to eradicate polio.
According to law enforcement authorities, the martyred officer has been identified as Abdul Waheed, a resident of Jamalabad, Nushki. His body was immediately shifted to a hospital following the incident. Abdul Waheed’s sacrifice has been widely condemned, and his bravery has drawn praise from both provincial and federal officials.
Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, strongly denounced the attack, labeling it an assault not just on individuals but on a national cause. “Polio campaigns are a national duty, and any assault on them is intolerable,” he stated. Paying homage to the fallen officer, Rind said, “We salute the sacrifice of Shaheed Abdul Waheed, who gave his life for the protection of Pakistan’s children.”
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved family. “We stand with the family of Shaheed Abdul Waheed in this difficult time. He attained the highest honor of martyrdom,” the minister said. He further added that such acts of violence, especially against those protecting the nation’s children, are unacceptable. “The perpetrators will be dealt with with an iron hand,” he warned.
Despite the grim incident, the ongoing seven-day anti-polio campaign in Balochistan remains undeterred. According to the Emergency Operations Center, the drive continues for a second consecutive day, targeting over 2.66 million children under the age of five.
Vitamin A supplements are also being administered alongside the polio drops to enhance immunity among children. More than 11,000 teams have been mobilized across the province to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
In a message shared on social media platform X, First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also urged the public to actively support the polio eradication campaign.
She emphasized that the current nationwide effort, running from May 26 to June 1, seeks to vaccinate over 44 million children through the tireless work of more than 400,000 frontline health workers.
“This is a national cause. Join hands for a polio-free Pakistan,” Aseefa Bhutto Zardari stated, appealing to all citizens to participate in this vital public health initiative. Her message reinforces the collective responsibility of all Pakistanis in ensuring a safer and healthier future for the next generation.
