Peshawar: An anti-polio vaccination campaign was today launched in the capital of Pakistan`s restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, described by the WHO as the "world`s largest reservoir" of the virus, amidst tight security arrangements.
Large police contingents fanned out across Peshawar and mobile phone services were suspended in the city. A ban on pillion-riding on motorcycles was imposed by the provincial government.
The drive aims to inoculate 800,000 children aged below five years in Peshawar and its adjoining areas. Provincial Health Minister Shaukat Yousufzai said the campaign would also create awareness about dengue and its prevention.
Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio remains endemic. Earlier, teachers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had refused to join the polio vaccination campaign, citing low wages and security concerns as the reasons for their decision.
On January 25, they agreed to take part in the campaign following successful negotiations with the government. But an immunisation campaign scheduled for January 26 was called off at the last minute because of security concerns.
The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has banned anti-polio campaigns in parts of the tribal belt adjoining Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It said the restriction would remain in place till the US stops drone strikes.
Dozens of health workers and policemen have been killed in attacks on vaccination teams. In a separate development, police killed a terrorist and wounded another after they attacked a patrol vehicle in Musa Zai area of Peshawar.
