BAJAUR: The district administration on Friday warned that parents refusing vaccination of their children against polio would face action.

A five-day anti-polio drive is scheduled to start in the Bajaur district on Monday (Jan 24).

Additional deputy commissioner (general) Zameen Khan Momand and additional deputy commissioner (planning and finance) Sohil Aziz issued the warning while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the anti-polio campaign held at the deputy commissioner’s office.

Officials of health department, WHO and other support organisations were also in attendance.

The officials said the district administration in collaboration with the health department was making all-out efforts to achieve the vaccination target during the upcoming drive.

They said the target could be achieved with the support of local people. However, they said some people in remote localities often linked vaccination of children with resolution of their local issues.

The participants were also informed that 243,832 children would be vaccinated during the drive.

Power suspension: The residents of various areas of Khar tehsil on Friday blocked the main Bajaur-Peshawar highway to protest prolonged electricity suspension.

The protesters chanted slogans against the Tribal Electric Supply Company (Tesco), the district administration and the local lawmakers over their failure to restore power supply to the localities despite lapse of 10 days.

The protesters said electricity supply suspension had caused severe water shortage in the villages. The demonstrators slammed PTI MNA Gul Dad Khan and MPA Ajmal Khan for being silent on the issue despite being informed about it.

The protesters ended the road blockade after the district administration officials along with PTI activists met them and assured them of getting the power supply restored immediately.

Meanwhile, the transporters expressed dismay over the district administration and the police’s failure to prevent the protesters from blocking the highway for such a long time.

AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT: Provincial minister for agriculture and livestock Mohibullah Khan has said the government is paying attention to development of agriculture and livestock in tribal districts as both the sectors are major sources of livelihood of locals.

He was talking to officials of agriculture and livestock departments during his visit to the district the other day. He was accompanied by provincial director general livestock and diary development Dr Alamzeb Khan.

The minister said government was determined to develop agriculture and livestock in the entire province in general and in tribal districts in particular.

He added majority of residents of tribal districts were associated with both the sectors.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2022