Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Imposes Section 144 Ahead of Anti-Polio Drive Starting December 16

"Restrictions aim to ensure safety during the campaign as Pakistan faces rising polio cases and vaccination challenges."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], December 15: In preparation for an anti-polio campaign set to launch on December 16, Section 144 has been imposed in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for seven days, ARY News reported on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed announced the enforcement of restrictions, which include a ban on carrying firearms, restrictions on two people riding a motorcycle together, and a prohibition on vehicles with tinted windows. These measures aim to ensure the smooth execution of the campaign and enhance safety during the drive.

“Strict legal action will be taken against those violating the restrictions,” Hameed warned.

Focus on Overcoming Polio Challenges

The anti-polio drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa comes as the province tackles significant challenges, including vaccination refusals, missed immunization targets, and insufficient cooperation from local health authorities. Instances of fake finger marking—used to falsely confirm vaccination—have also been reported, according to ARY News.

Earlier this week, Pakistan reported four new polio cases, raising the total number of cases in 2024 to 63, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). These new cases were detected in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Jacobabad, and Sukkur, with Sukkur reporting its first case.

Rising Polio Cases Across Provinces

The distribution of polio cases across Pakistan this year has been as follows:

• Balochistan: 26 cases
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 18 cases
• Sindh: 17 cases
• Punjab and Islamabad: One case each

The majority of cases involve children under five who had not received routine immunizations. In response, Pakistan’s health authorities have formed a high-level committee to improve coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

Polio Eradication Efforts Intensify

Polio, a highly contagious viral disease, predominantly affects young children, especially those with weak immunity or insufficient vaccination. As Pakistan continues to combat the disease, the upcoming campaign is critical to addressing gaps in immunization coverage and preventing further outbreaks.