PESHAWAR, June 21: Health Minister Inayatullah Khan has urged parents to cooperate with heath workers administering polio drop to eradicate the disease. He was addressing as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day immunization campaign at Urmar Payan, near here on Tuesday. MNA Sabir Hussain Awan and Health Director-General Dr Jalilur Rehman also addressed the ceremony.

Mr Khan said: “Polio virus is active in six countries of the world and unfortunately Pakistan is one of them,” he said.

The minister said polio virus had been controlled to a considerable level. During 2001 and 2002 there were 33 polio cases in the province, whereas eight cases were reported in 2004, he said and added: “This year only one polio case has been reported and now we are waiting for the movement when this province will be completely free from polio virus,” he maintained.