Asif Ali Zardari calls for rooting out militants opposed to polio vaccination, also urges WHO to review travel ban decision

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Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party former President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed grave concern over the travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of the continuous rise in polio cases in the country.

In a statement today the former President called upon the authorities concerned in the federal and provincial governments to step up efforts to contain the spread of polio virus and deal with an iron hand the militants and bigots opposing polio vaccination. The polio spread has been caused in no small measure by the armed opposition to it by militants and bigots, he said. “The travel ban resulting in increasing our isolation should serve to remind every one that the policy of appeasing militants will cost the country dearly”, he said.

The militants opposing polio vaccination want to incapacitate the future generations and we owe it to our children to root out the extremists, the zealots and the bigoted militants before it is too late”.

Mr. Asif Ali Zardari also called upon the Party workers and the civil society to protect the polio workers from any harm by the militants. “We salute those courageous men and women who have laid down their lives or suffered grievously in reaching out to the children to vaccinate them against polio. They are our national heroes and heroines and must be protected and honored”. He said that the PPP is committed to end this crippling disease from the country and save the children. He recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had personally led the country wide campaign beginning with administering polio drops to her own daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari who later became Pakistan’s Ambassador on polio eradication. Unfortunately the distinction of a polio free country that Pakistan earned during her time did not last long and the crippling disease has reared its head again.

The former President also called upon the WHO to review its decision. Polio knows no boundaries and fighting polio is a global responsibility that must be shared by the international community. The imposition of travel ban will only increase Pakistan’s isolation and not advance the global fight against polio, the former President said.