Isakhel Tribe ends polio vaccination boycott

PESHAWAR: The Isakhel tribe of Sufaid Sung area in the provincial capital has finally agreed to immunise their children after talks with the officials.

The tribal elders made the announcement at a meeting with the officials led by Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mahsud.Special Secretary Health Abdul Basit, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Sarmad Salim Akram, SSP Operations Peshawar Masood Bangash, District Health Officer Idrees Khan and former bureaucrat Muntazir Khan attended the meeting. The discussions focused on addressing the tribe’s concerns, which had led to their refusal to vaccinate children.

In response to their demands, the commissioner ordered immediate improvements to local healthcare facilities, including filling staff shortages at the Basic Health Unit, ensuring medicine availability, installing an ultrasound machine, and providing Rescue 1122 emergency services. Additionally, he directed the establishment of a Patwari office in Sufaid Sung and launched a dog culling campaign. To resolve other pressing issues, the deputy commissioner was instructed to hold a joint open court session with police officials next week.

Welcoming these initiatives, Isakhel elders pledged full cooperation with the government, allowing polio teams to commence vaccinations in the area from tomorrow. The meeting also resulted in an agreement to work together on resolving land disputes.

Muntazir Khan, who played a crucial role in the negotiations under the instructions of Riaz Mahsud, was widely praised for facilitating the breakthrough. As the chairman of the Civil Rights Foundation, he engaged with the tribe to address their concerns, ultimately paving the way for the long-delayed immunization campaign.