KHYBER: Political and social activists have expressed concern over the proposed staff reduction at the Communication Network (COMMNet) here, fearing the move will adversely affect polio eradication efforts in the region.

Addressing a news conference at the District Press Club in Landi Kotal here on Monday, Khyber Siyasi Ittehad president Murad Hussain Afridi and other political and social activists said that they were opposed to the proposed COMMNet downsizing as staff members had been vigorously performing their duties in polio eradication campaigns and routine immunisation programmes.

They said that health authorities were already struggling to reach out to a sizable section of the population in the district, so any job cuts at COMMNet would have adverse effects on the health of residents.

The activists said that Khyber tribal district had already been declared a high-risk area due to the recent displacement of thousands of families from the restive Tirah valley along with routine regional migration.

They warned that retrenchment at COMMNet could increase vaccination refusal cases during polio campaigns.

The activists said that COMMNet had played a key role in the success of polio campaigns by reducing refusal cases.

They said COMMNet employees convinced parents and communities to vaccinate their children against the virus.

“No polio case has been reported in our district since 2018 and its credit goes to the COMMNet employees who made untiring efforts in effectively controlling polio virus,” an activist said.

He feared that achievements made against polio in the last few years would be in danger if the COMMNet job cut plans were executed.

The activists said the role of COMMNet had grown more important amid international negative propaganda against polio vaccine.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026