Police in Rawalpindi have registered a case against four individuals accused of threatening and obstructing a polio vaccination team during an anti-polio campaign in the Sadiqabad area.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident occurred when a health team, accompanied by a health inspector, visited a residence in Muslim Town to administer polio drops to children. The team reportedly sought permission before entering, but soon faced resistance from the residents.
The complaint states that the suspects misbehaved with the vaccination workers, used abusive language, and refused to allow the administration of polio drops. The situation escalated when the accused allegedly began recording videos of female staff members and issued threats, creating panic in the neighbourhood.
Authorities expressed concern that such resistance could hinder ongoing efforts to eliminate poliovirus and pose risks to public health. Despite the seriousness of the incident, no arrests have been made so far.
To ensure the safety of vaccination teams, strict security measures have been implemented across Rawalpindi. More than 900 police personnel have been deployed, with hundreds of teams assigned to protect health workers during the campaign.
Officials have also established multiple transit points and fixed vaccination centres under the National Immunization Day (NID) initiative, aiming to ensure maximum coverage and prevent the spread of polio.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by health workers in Pakistan’s fight against polio, as authorities continue efforts to safeguard vaccination teams and ensure the success of immunization campaigns.
