LAHORE: The police registered two separate cases against the parents for refusing polio drops administration to their children and harassing the polio workers.

As per police, in the Harbanspura area, the suspects first refused to allow the polio team to vaccinate their children and then allegedly attacked the health workers.

As per the FIR, the suspects first attacked the polio workers and then called their accomplices who also tortured them.

As the polio workers called on 15 helpline, a police team reached the spot, but the suspects also thrashed the policemen, the FIR added.

However, the police later overpowered the attackers and registered a case against them. Similarly, the Shahdara police booked parents of some children allegedly for harassing the female polio workers visiting the area.

The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) strongly condemned the misbehaviour against the female polio workers during the vaccination drive in Lahore.

Punjab EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur expressed solidarity with the affected workers and their families, stating that the dedication of the front line polio workers cannot be overstated. “These workers operate in challenging conditions to protect children’s health, regardless of where they live. Their safety and dignity must be ensured at all times,” he said.

The coordinator confirmed that Punjab EOC is in close contact with the authorities concerned to ascertain further details of the incident.

He said efforts are underway to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are held accountable and that effective mechanisms are strengthened to safeguard the health workers during their field activities.

Mr Tasawur noted that there has been an unprecedented show of support for polio eradication from parents, media, civil society and across the political spectrum.

He added that the federal and provincial governments remained fully aligned in their commitment to protect the polio workers and ensure uninterrupted vaccination drives.

Punjab EOC also acknowledged the constructive role of local community leaders, whose engagement continues to help create an enabling environment, where children can be safely reached for essential health interventions.

Emphasising the importance of sustained vaccination, the Punjab EOC coordinator stated that eradication of polio requires reaching out to every child. “Punjab has achieved high coverage during the National Immunisation Days, with 99 per cent of children vaccinated,” he said, adding that this success reflects strong parental cooperation and leadership at all levels of government and civil society.

Despite the challenges posed by migration and a significant influx of populations into Lahore for the Basant festival, the district achieved 99 percent coverage. Notably, 19pc more guest children were vaccinated during the February campaign, compared to the December National Immunization Days.

Polio remains a crippling and potentially life-threatening disease that mainly affects children under five years of age. While Pakistan has made significant progress in interrupting virus transmission, the virus continues to pose a risk in high-density urban areas and among mobile and migrant populations.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026