Polio campaign postponed in Chaman due to security fears

CHAMAN: Once again, the polio eradication efforts in Chaman face a setback as security concerns prompt authorities in the Balochistan border city to postpone the campaign launch.

Raja Athar Abbas, the Deputy Commissioner of Chaman, disclosed that the seven-day polio campaign has been deferred for a week due to prevailing security fears.

This recent delay follows a similar decision made three weeks ago when the District Administration chose to reschedule a special seven-day anti-polio campaign in Chaman district.

The initial postponement was attributed to a sit-in protest on the Pak-Afghan border highway. At that time, the Chaman Deputy Commissioner cited the sit-in, the overall law and order situation, and additional challenges in the region as factors influencing the decision.

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It is pertinent to note that for the past nine days, a wave of dissent has engulfed Chaman, with thousands of political workers, traders, and tribesmen expressing their discontent against the government’s decision to restrict entry into Afghanistan to individuals possessing a passport and visa.

This prolonged protest has further complicated the operational environment, contributing to the recurrent delays in critical health campaigns such as the ongoing battle against polio in the region.