KARACHI – Law enforcement agencies see involvement of militant organizations, especially in the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, behind attack on polio vaccination teams in the City, TheNation learnt on Saturday.
The sources in the law enforcement agencies said the Tehrik-i-Taliban which has been threatening polio teams in KPK may have planned attack to hamper polio eradication efforts in the city.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation and Unicef in their statements issued here on Saturday said they are deeply saddened over killing of Muhammad Ishaq, a local community worker who was part of the polio eradication initiative in the City.
Ishaq was shot and killed in Gadap Town on Friday evening. They said that the polio immunisation activities were suspended in this area of Karachi earlier this week after a two WHO staff members who were supporting the implementation and monitoring of a vaccination campaign were injured in shooting incident.  Ishaq had worked as a Union Council Polio Worker for several months, helping to plan and implement vaccination campaigns to protect the most underserved and vulnerable children against this debilitating disease.
Because of the dedication of heroes like Mr Ishaq, Pakistan is loser to the eradication of polio. He was known for his dedication and diligence to immunize all children against polio.
The WHO, UNICEF and all of the polio partners in Pakistan and globally express their deepest sympathy to his family for this tragic loss. The partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative remain committed to supporting the government of Pakistan and the people in their efforts to eradicate this devastating disease.
Following the attack on a team of United Nation team three days ago, a delegation of World Health Organization led by Gido, country representative of WHO had met with Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at CM secretariat and raised concerns over the security of the foreign missions engaged in the humanitarian assignments in the province.
The United Nation organisations expressed concerns over the security of their team members engaged in the polio vaccination campaign especially of polio vaccination campaigners.
Keeping the in view of attack on the lives of the foreign mission, other teams of the United Nations has been cautioned for their security as they have already suspended the polio vaccination campaign in Gaddap.
Qaim had assured UN delegation to provide foolproof security for WHO team engaged in polio vaccination campaign.
After attack on UN team and killing of a doctor, the CM directed the administration particularly the police to make necessary security arrangements for the teams/workers engaged in this noble cause of eradication of polio from the society.
The security concerns and direct threats on the lives of the UN teams, who engaged in polio vaccination campaign, may affect the international support in eradicating of this disease from the Pakistan.