KOHAT: Deputy commissioner, Kohat, Amjid Ali Khan said on Friday that anti-polio campaign should be taken seriously by the parents and officials because if the disease was not eradicated the international community could impose travel ban on Pakistani citizens.

Chairing a meeting of the polio eradication committee at his office here, he asked the officers to suspend the staff members failing to report on time for duty and take departmental action against them. He warned that those families who would refuse to administer polio drops to their children would be arrested and action taken against them under the law. The four-day anti-polio campaign in Kohat district would be launched on April 28.

District health officer Habib Khattak, additional deputy commissioner Fakhruddin and other relevant officers attended the meeting. The committee reviewed the logistic support and other preparations for the teams that would be going to remote areas of the district to administer polio drops to children under age five.

He said that coverage of all areas would be ensured during the coming campaign.

REGIONAL CRICKET: The under-19 inter-district regional cricket tournament started at Kohat Stadium here on Friday with the first two-day match between Kohat district and Kurram Agency. The tournament is being held under the supervision of Pakistan Cricket Board.

The regional teams have been divided into too pools. Teams of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, South Waziristan and North Waziristan are grouped in pool A, while pool B includes teams of Kohat, Kurram Agency, Khyber Agency, Orakzai Agency, Mohmand Agency and Bajaur Agency. The final match of the tournament would be played on May 10.

ASP Mansoor Aman was the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the tournament while PCB’s assistant coach Saqib Faqir was also present on the occasion.