GHALANAI/KHAR: The three-day anti-polio campaign in Mohmand Agency has been postponed due to indefinite curfew in the area.

The decision was announced by the local health department after directives from the high officials, said a political officer.

EPI coordinator Dr Shabir Khan said that the campaign had been postponed in the tribal region till further orders owing to security reasons. After the IED blast in Tamanzai area of Pandyali tehsil, in which six security personnel were killed, the administration and security forces imposed curfew in Kamali Haleemzai, Safi, Khewzai and Biazai border areas and from Nahqi top to Bajaur border in Mohmand Agency for indefinite period.

All the local bazaars are also closed while people have been facing problems. During the curfew, security forces conducted search operations in several areas, but there were no reports of any arrests. IGFC Maj-Gen Tayyab Azam also visited Mohmand Agency on Sunday where the officials briefed him on the security situation in the area at Lakaro Degree College. People of the area have demanded relaxation in the curfew.

Meanwhile, the three-day polio eradication drive will start in Bajaur Agency on Monday (today).

Talking to mediapersons in Khar, Bajaur agency surgeon Dr Zakir Hussain said that the health department in collaboration with the local political administration had finalised arrangements for the drive. He said that 227,300 children below the age of five would be administered anti-polio vaccines.

The health official said that 1,590 health workers and support staff would take a part in the drive while special monitoring teams had also been formed. “We have formed several teams comprising senior health officials for the monitoring activities after complaints against the efficiency of polio workers,” he said.

Dr Hussain said the local health department had stepped up its efforts to eradicated polio disease in the agency.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2014