Peshawar
The program was organized by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in collaboration with the local administration that brought together a large number of students, teachers, health workers, civil society representatives, media personnel, elected representatives, and human rights activists to reaffirm their commitment to a polio-free Pakistan.
The key speakers included Said Afzal Shinwari, Communication Officer, Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative District Khyber, and Afrasiab Zubair Hondal, Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal.
Speaking on the occasion, Said Afzal Shinwari highlighted the significance of World Polio Day and its role in mobilizing global and local efforts to eradicate the crippling disease.
He emphasized that Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio continues to circulate, with 30 cases reported so far this year, out of which 19 cases were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He added that during the last campaign, 318 refusal cases were recorded in District Khyber, most of them demand-based.
He urged parents and community leaders not to link personal or service-related demands with polio vaccination, stressing that refusal to vaccinate only endangers children’s futures.
Assistant Commissioner Afrasiab Zubair Hondal reiterated the government’s strong commitment to completely eliminating polio from the country. He urged the public, especially youth and teachers, to play an active role in countering misinformation and ensuring that every child receives the vaccine. “Polio eradication is not just a government initiative—it’s our collective responsibility,” he stated.
Later on the participants staged a public awareness walk to promote awareness and sensitize the community about the importance of polio vaccination. Participants carried banners and placards with messages calling for collective responsibility and a united effort to make Pakistan polio-free.
With Pic
