Pillion riding, display of weapons banned in KP's Bannu for a week as polio vaccination drive set to begin

BANNU: The district administration banned pillion riding, display of weapons and use of tinted glasses in vehicles for a week in Bannu on Sunday, keeping in view the commencement of a polio vaccination drive and security concerns. The ban has been imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The order for the restriction was issued by Deputy Commissioner Bannu Zia ur Rehman Khattak on Saturday, with the ban coming into effect on Sunday. It will remain in force till Nov 7. The order, seen by Dawn , stated that Bannu's district police officer (DPO) had informed the administration through an official letter that an anti-polio campaign would be conducted in the district from November 2 to 5. In view of previous terrorist attacks targeting polio teams and police personnel deployed for their security, as well as the prevailing security situation, precautionary measures were deemed necessary in Bannu, the DC's order stated. Under the restriction, the display and exhibition of weapons, pillion riding on motorcycles and the use of tinted glasses in vehicles have been prohibited throughout the district. However, patwaris (land record keepers) and union council secretaries performing official polio campaign duties have been exempted from the restriction on display of weapons. The order warned that violators would face legal action under Section 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code. DC Khattak and DPO Shafiullah Gandapur inaugurated the anti-polio campaign in Bannu on Sunday, administering polio drops to children. The health authorities have set a target of vaccinating 228,000 children under the age of five across 57 union councils of the district, according to a statement issued by the district administration. Pakistan has reported seven polio cases this year so far, four of which are from Bannu Division. Bannu Division continues to pose impediments to the government's efforts to eradicate the virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, say officials . A recent report by the World Health Organisation said it continued to present significant operational and security challenges that impeded implementation of high-quality vaccination activities.