Prime Minister Imran Khan has linked national development with the eradication of polio and has urged the public to join in the effort. It is a national shame that people leaving the country or landing elsewhere have to take anti-polio drops. At the launch of the National Immunisation Campaign, the prime minister said that eradication of the polio virus was vital for both the children as well as the future of the nation. The three-day drive starting on December 16 will target around 39.6 million children across the country. Up to 260,000 vaccinators will brave harsh weather and reluctant parents in many areas. Not only reluctant parents, in some places, terrorists have struck polio teams in their bid to stop the country from being polio-free. Given the number of the polio cases in the outgoing year, it seems so far terrorists and anti-state elements are succeeding. This year, the country hit 98 mark with most of the cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where parents under the influence of propaganda entailing religious colour and taking the line of militants, trying to keep their children away from vaccinations. The December 16 campaign shows the state\u2019s resolve to reach out the children at their doorstep even in the cold season in which the virus usually weakens due to winter and is eliminated through such vaccination drives.
\nPakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries still fighting the polio virus. Of them, Afghanistan had less than 30 cases this year. Afghanistan has vast areas are under militant control where the government lacks influence. In Pakistan, militants have invisible writ on the minds of the people. Despite knowing that the polio virus can cripple their child for life, several people try to deceive vaccinators. These vaccinators are our heroes. Many have been killed by militants. They have done so only to save the future of Pakistan \u2013 its children. It is sad to see that often children\u2019s welfare is neglected in education, safety, security and development. Many cases of child abuse have surfaced across the country as well. The provision of safe environment to children is not only the responsibility of the government but that of every individual of society. Children are the future of a society. Eradication of polio means saving our future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Prime Minister Imran Khan has linked national development with the eradication of polio and has urged the public to join in the effort. It is a national shame that people leaving the country or landing elsewhere have to take anti-polio drops. At the launch of the National Immunisation Campaign, the prime minister said that eradication […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-97500","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article"},"yoast_head":"\n