KHAR: Female vaccinators would not take part in the three-day anti-polio drive, starting in the agency from Monday, over security reasons.

About 223,890 children would be administered oral polio vaccine during the drive, said Abdul Jabar Shah, Bajaur political agent, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony here on Friday.

He kicked off the campaign by administering polio drops to a child.

Officials of health department, World Health Organisation, tribal elders and religious scholars attended the function.

Mr Shah said the administration was utilising all means to eliminate polio virus from the agency.

He urged the tribal elders and ulema to extend their support to the vaccination campaign to make it a success.

“Cooperation of the local people is imperative for eradicating polio from the agency,” he said.

The political agent directed the health department officials and WHO representatives to accelerate their efforts to make the agency polio free.

Mr Shah assured the polio workers of foolproof security during the campaign. “We are aware of the security of polio teams and all possible means will be used for this purpose,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bajaur agency surgeon Dr Zakir Hussain briefed the journalists about the arrangements made for the campaign.

He said that the health department had set up a total of 628 teams for the purpose.

However, he said that female workers would not take part in the campaign over security reasons.

ACADEMIC SESSION STARTS: Bajaur Agency assistant political agent Assad Sarwar said here the other day that the administration was taking keen interest in promoting of technical and vocational education in the agency, adding the newly established Government College of Technology would help in providing quality professional education in the region.

He was speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate academic session in the newly established Government College of Technology here.

He said the administration was committed to the promotion of technical, vocational and other professional education in the agency because it was vital for providing speedy and easy employment opportunities to the youth of the region.

The college of technology was a matter of pride for the area people and it would not only promote technical and professional education but also help in boosting the socio-economic condition of the militancy-hit agency,” he added.