PESHAWAR, Sept 10: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar has directed all political agents to actively participate in anti-polio campaigns and warned them of strict action over negligence.

He said this during the inauguration of a polio control room at Fata Secretariat here.

The governor said vaccinators, who performed well in anti-polio campaigns, were being rewarded.

He said despite security challenges in Fata, polio workers were performing assigned tasks diligently and well and thus, significantly contributing towards polio eradication from the country.

The ceremony was also attended by Fata additional chief, law and order and social sector secretaries, and officials of the health and other departments.

On the occasion, Mr Nazir Ahmad of Save the Children presented keys of a vaccine carrying vehicle to the governor for the health services directorate of Fata Secretariat.

The governor thanked him for the vehicle and said modern facilities would help increase efficiency of polio teams in Fata. He handed over the keys to the Fata additional chief secretary.

The governor later told reporters that polio had been taken as a national emergency and everyone was contributing to fight against it to save the future of Pakistan.

He said polio was under control to a greater extent in Fata but even then, a single case could create a lot of problems.

Mr Kausar said those living in Islamabad could not realise the problems and difficulties of Fata polio workers on duty, but despite all problems, they were performing to the best of their abilities.

He said local religious leaders and army were cooperating with vaccinators in doing their duty. “The entire nation should get together to eradicate polio,” he said.