LAKKI MARWAT/SWABI: Speakers at a seminar in Lakki Marwat on Saturday emphasised that under the teachings of Islam protecting children from an epidemic was their national duty, and asked the parents to cooperate with the polio teams to get their children immunised against the crippling disease.

The seminar was arranged by the district administration at a madressah in Darra Pezu town.

MNA Maulana Mohammad Anwar, Bannu division commissioner Adil Sadiq, deputy commissioner Jehangir Azam Wazir, the seminary’s administrator Mufti Abdul Ghani, teachers, students and officials of health department and partner organisations were in attendance.

On the occasion, the divisional commissioner along with the MNA and the DC administered several children with oral polio vaccine.

Mr Sadiq also administered drops to the MNA, and later he along with deputy commissioner was given vaccine by the lawmaker in order to show to the audience that anti-polio vaccine was safe for human health.

MNA Anwar highlighted the importance and usefulness of anti-polio drops in the light of teachings of Islam and said protecting children from the epidemic was their national duty.

The divisional commissioner said main purpose of the event was to seek help from religious scholars to disseminate the message about usefulness of oral polio vaccine in their respective communities.

The deputy commissioner said support by ulema would prove helpful in ensuring coverage of the targeted population in the upcoming anti-polio drive commencing from Monday.

Meanwhile, the Swabi district administration imposed on Saturday section 144 to ensure peaceful conduct of the three-day anti-polio campaign starting from Monday.

Deputy commissioner Shahid Mehmood, in an order said keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation, chances of threats to polio workers, security personnel and peace and tranquility in the district could not be ruled out, thus necessitating the imposition of section 144 as an immediate measure.

The section puts ban on display/carrying of weapons and pillion-riding during the polio campaign from Dec 16 to 21.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2019