RAWALPINDI: Divisional Commissioner Amir Khattak on December 15 directed all the deputy commissioners to personally monitor the anti-polio campaign and ensure the security of the polio teams.
He stated this during the District Coordination Committee meeting held to review the anti-polio drive, preparations for winter in Murree and Solid Waste Management issues. The meeting was attended by Director Coordination Zenia Humayun, Director Local Government Sibtain Kazmi and the deputy commissioners of Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal and Murree.
He said that polio eradication was a national responsibility and any negligence in this regard will be unacceptable.
It may be mentioned here that two environment samples in Rawalpindi tested positive for the poliovirus last month, forcing the health authorities to pay attention to the areas concerned. The poliovirus was found in a sample collected by WHO from a nullah at Safdarabad near Pirwadhai and Dhoke Dalal. The area is located at the border of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The poliovirus was genetically linked to the cluster which is active in Rahimyar Khan and Karachi.
As many as 2,834 mobile teams, 269 fixed and 125 transit points set up in Pindi district, meeting told
The commissioner directed all deputy and assistant commissioners to ensure complete security for polio teams, maintain an active monitoring system and ensure timely reporting of all data. He instructed that special mobile teams be deployed to reach children in hard-to-access areas.
He also directed that supervisory officers be appointed at the Union Council level to ensure effective and comprehensive coverage of every household.
The meeting was informed that a total of 192 union council medical officers and 677 area in-charges had been appointed in the Rawalpindi district along with 2,834 mobile teams, 269 fixed points and 125 transit points for the campaign. On the first day of the campaign, the target was set to immunise 150,000 children.
Meanwhile, the commissioner sought details about the payment of dues to the solid waste management in relation to transfer stations and directed that all payments should be ensured. Regarding court cases, he directed that the deputy commissioners should compile details of pending court cases in their districts. He directed that updated data regarding the nature, number and current stage of each case should be provided to the commissioner’s office in a timely manner so that effective monitoring of the cases can be made possible.
Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Shirazi told the meeting that arrangements had been completed in view of possible snowfall in Murree.
He said at present the weather was clear and there was no forecast of rain or snowfall. However, all relevant institutions were on alert.
Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025.
