NAROWAL: The district administrationhas postponed the inauguration of an anti-corona vaccination centre in Zafarwal thrice for administrative and political reasons.

Like the other parts of the country, the corona vaccine has been administered to the citizens of Narowal district in Narowal and Shakargar tehsils for the past 45 days. When it comes to Zafarwal tehsil, an eight-bed vaccination centre was set up at the Government Boys College in Zafarwal where the health department installed oxygen cylinders and other facilities.

Later on, the district health authority established a vaccination centre at the Government Girls College of Zafarwal.

On April 27, Zafarwal Assistant Commissioner Irfan Martin was to inaugurate the vaccination center, which was stopped at the eleventh hour. On April 28, the vaccination centre was to be inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Hassan and District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Hafiz Muhammad Khalid. The administration again changed its mind and cancelled the inauguration plan.

For the third time, on April 29, Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Pir Syed Saeed Al Hassan was to inaugurate a vaccination centre. Flowers, balloons and a majestic stage were arranged to mark the occasion but the minister could not arrive at the venue.

Locals Muhammad Nabil and Karamat Ali Shah said citizens had to travel on pothole-infested Zafarwal-Narowal Road to reach the vaccination centre in Narowal.

Abdul Qaddos and Haroon Rashid said politics was being played with the people of Zafarwal in the name of the vaccination.

Zafarwal Assistant Commissioner Irfan Martin chose not to respond while Health CEO Hafiz Dr Muhammad Khalid said Zafarwal was the constituency of Mr Hassan and could not arrive for the inauguration of the vaccination centre due to his busy schedule. He said the inauguration of the centre would be held again.

People have demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Usman Bazdar take notice of the situation.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021