According to an official, a policeman who watched a polyomyelitis vaccination team was killed on Tuesday by unknown attackers in the Noshki district of Baluchistan, according to an official.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in which polyomyelitis remains endemic, and vaccination equipment is frequently attacked by militants who free a campaign against security forces.
The attached commissioner of Noshki (DC) Amjad Hussain Soomro confirmed the “unfortunate incident” Dawn.comin which Waheed Ahmed was shot dead in the Noshki Killi Muhammad Hassni district.
He said the police have established control points in several places to look for the attackers, who will be arrested soon.
DC Soomro said that the security of the health department personnel working in the campaign against Polio has been further reinforced.
He added that the anti-political campaign continues even after the terrorist incident and the objectives granted to anti-political teams in the Noshki district for this national cause are completed soon.
Baluchistan government spokesman Shahid Rind confirmed that martyrdos was a resident of Jalalabad, Noshki.
“The polio campaign is a national duty, and any attack against it is intolerable,” Rind said in a statement, paying tribute to the murdered officer who “sacrificed himself while he was on service.”
“This attack is a conspiracy to sabotage the national campaign and spread fear and panic,” Rind added.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack in Noshki and offered more sincere condolences to the family of the afflicted.
He pointed out that the courage and sacrifice of polyomyelitis officials “[inspires] All of us to save our children from this paralyzing disease. “
The president reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to completely eradicate polyomyelitis.
“We have the tools, will and support of our global partners to realize this vision,” he said in a statement issued today. “I ask parents to open their doors to vaccinators, ensuring that each child receives the drops of polyomyelitis that save lives.
“I urge teachers, religious leaders and the elders of the community to defend this noble cause, dispel myths and generate trust. I appeal to the media to amplify the truth: the vaccine against polyomyelitis is safe, effective and our best weapon.”
He reiterated his support for his daughter Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, “whose tireless defense and efforts have galvanized our nation in this fight against polyomyelitis.”
“Today, also a tribute to our brave workers of polyomyelitis, who risk their lives to reach each child, often in the face of serious danger.
“We also honor polyomyelitis workers and security officials who have made the last sacrifice, losing their lives due to cowardly attacks aimed at deranging our efforts to make Pakistan free of polyomyelitis,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident and said that strict measures will be taken against militant elements aimed at the Polyomyelitis campaign, according to the State Pakistan radio.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident and said that an attack on the team responsible for ensuring the child’s safe for children is intolerable.
Baluchistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “cowardly and inhuman act.”
He stressed that aiming at the polio campaign is equivalent to attacking the future of innocent children. While paying tribute to the martyred official, the minister acclaimed him as a “hero of the nation.”
Kakar warned that any effort to derail the campaign of polyomyelitis would be seen as a direct challenge to the order of the State, and said that the Government will deal with terrorists with iron fist.
Yesterday, two polio workers were kidnapped by armed assailants in the tanks district while performing their functions in the Dolat Koruna area as part of the ongoing vaccination campaign that began on Sunday.
The Pakistan Polio Program launched the third impulse of the year against paralyzing disease at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), Islamabad.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by the focal person of the Prime Minister for the eradication of Polyomyelitis Ayesha Raza Faooq, together with the members of the main group of the polio program and representatives of associated organizations, added the statement.
Additional reports from Imran Gabol and Nadir Guramani
