BANNU: Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district have imposed Section 144 for seven days to ensure the smooth execution of the upcoming anti-polio campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed announced the immediate enforcement of the restrictions, which include a ban on carrying weapons, double riding on motorcycles, and the use of tinted vehicle windows.
“These measures are crucial to maintaining law and order during the polio eradication campaign starting tomorrow,” said DC Hameed, warning of strict action against violators.
The province will kick off the campaign on December 16, aiming to vaccinate its 7.3 million children under the age of five. However, authorities continue to face challenges such as vaccination refusals, missed targets, fake finger marking, and lack of cooperation from district administrations and health officers.
Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, can cause irreversible paralysis and death. The virus primarily spreads through the faecal-oral route or contaminated food and water. Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and limb pain.
Health officials emphasize that while polio has no cure, it is entirely preventable through vaccines. Oral polio vaccines (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) have proven safe and effective worldwide, with multiple doses ensuring lifelong immunity.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a critical focus for polio eradication due to the persistence of non-vaccination among less than one percent of the target population. Officials hope that strict measures like Section 144 will support the campaign’s success, bringing Pakistan closer to eradicating the disease.
