QUETTA:
On Wednesday, two staff members were martyred in the Mastung district of Baluchistan when unidentified armed men attacked a security team that protects a polio vaccination campaign, the second incident of this type since the national campaign began this week.
The incident, seen as an attempt to undermine Pakistan’s continuous efforts to eradicate polyomyelitis, has generated a strong conviction of federal and provincial authorities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest terms and promised to hold those responsible.
“The terrorists who damage innocent civilians and security personnel are enemies of humanity and will be punished,” he said.
He said that such acts of violence would not shake Pakistan’s determination to eliminate polio. “The government remains firm in its commitment to eliminate the disease. The polio campaign will continue with full national resolution,” he said.
The prime minister also appealed to the parents, urging them not to discourage and make sure that their children receive polio drops that save lives to protect their future.
Prime Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti also expressed a deep sadness for the attack and called him a cowardly act of terrorism.
