PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan launched Sehat Ka Insaf and Cricket Talent Hunt programmes here on Saturday.

Launching the Sehat Ka Insaf (Health for All) programme, Mr Khan said it carried a complete package under which free kits would be distributed among 800,000 children of 30,000 families that would protect them from nine diseases.

The kit included vaccines for childhood diseases, including polio, he said.

The PTI chairman said in the first phase the KP government would target Peshawar where about 12,500 volunteers would take part in the three-month drive, he said.

The programme will cost Rs20 billion which will ensure that all targeted children get immunisation.

Mr Khan said: “We must focus on a complete immunisation of children and criminal neglect of children’s health must end.”

He said the KP government wanted to end polio because it was preventable through vaccination. The children would be administered vaccines for all diseases on Sundays only and the teams would get full security, he said.

The system would cover children in an integrated way with complete participation of the community people.

He said it would be a massive campaign where people would also be informed about hygienic practices to safeguard them against avoidable diseases.

“Every member of society is required to take part in the programme because it seeks protection of our children’s safety against the dangerous disease which could be prevented only through vaccination.”

The PTI chief said an integrated approach would enhance immunisation and urged people to take part in the campaign and make it a success.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, PTI’s general secretary Jehangir Tarin, MNA Asad Umar and provincial information minister Shah Farman were also present on the occasion.

Cricket talent hunt

At a function at the Arbab Niaz Stadium to launch the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata Cricket Talent Hunt programme for under-17 boys, the PTI chief said cricket talent was abundant in the province and Fata and asked the authorities to polish them into good cricketers who would play in national team in future.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi was present on the occasion.

Mr Khan said by harnessing young talent from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, “we can strengthen Pakistan cricket team”.

He said the KP and Fata could produce the likes of Shahid Afridi because the people of these areas had a natural ability to play cricket.

Shahid Afridi urged people to back Imran Khan in his political struggle and pledged to fully support the KP government’s effort to seek talented cricketers and give them coaching and guidance.