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QUETTA: A targeted anti-polio vaccination campaign will begin on Monday across 62 high-risk union councils in 13 districts of Balochistan as health authorities intensify efforts to stop the spread of the poliovirus and protect children from lifelong disability. According to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the campaign will cover 209,557 children under the age of five. Trained vaccination teams will visit homes and designated centres to administer oral polio vaccine free of charge. Officials said 862 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to conduct the campaign. In addition, 61 fixed vaccination centres and 72 transit vaccination points have been established to ensure that children travelling with their families or living in hard-to-reach areas are not missed. The EOC said the campaign is focused on high-risk union councils where the threat of poliovirus transmission remains significant. Health authorities noted that the virus continues to circulate in some parts of the province, making regular vaccination campaigns essential to prevent new infections. Officials stressed that polio is an incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis, but it is completely preventable through timely vaccination. They urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that every eligible child receives polio drops during the campaign. The EOC warned that every child who remains unvaccinated increases the risk of virus transmission within the community. Officials said even a small number of missed children can allow the virus to continue circulating and endanger other children. The campaign will be carried out in Barkhan, Dukki, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Nasirabad, Sherani, Sohbatpur, Usta Muhammad, Zhob, Ziarat and Mastung. Special arrangements have been made in these districts to achieve maximum vaccination coverage. Health authorities said supervisors and monitoring teams will oversee the campaign to ensure transparency, improve performance and address any operational challenges. Officials added that vaccination teams have been instructed to reach every household in the targeted areas.

The Punjab government is expected to consider a request for Rs12.5 billion to finance the upcoming local government elections in the province. According to official sources, the Punjab Local Government Department has formally sought the funds from the provincial government to meet the financial requirements for conducting the elections. The requested amount is intended to cover the expenses associated with organising the electoral process, including administrative arrangements, polling operations, election staff, logistics and other necessary preparations. Sources said the proposal for the release of funds will be presented before the Punjab Cabinet for approval. The cabinet will review the request and decide whether to allocate the required amount for the elections. An important meeting of the Punjab Cabinet has been convened for today. The meeting is expected to discuss several major policy and administrative matters, with the funding proposal for local government elections among the key agenda items. If the cabinet approves the request, the release of funds will pave the way for the Election Commission and the provincial authorities to begin practical preparations for the long-awaited local government elections. The financial allocation is considered a key step toward ensuring that the electoral process is conducted smoothly and that all logistical and administrative requirements are met on time. Officials believe that timely approval of the funds will help avoid delays in election preparations and support the successful organisation of local government polls across Punjab.

Former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates for further medical examination and treatment. Family sources said Bajwa is currently in the UAE. He travelled abroad after completing his initial treatment in Pakistan. The former army chief was examined by a team of specialist doctors in Dubai. The doctors carried out a detailed medical check-up. According to family sources, Bajwa’s condition has improved considerably after the medical examination. However, the results of some important medical tests are still awaited. Doctors will review the remaining reports before giving their final recommendations. His further treatment and return to Pakistan will depend on the doctors’ advice. Family sources said Bajwa will stay in the UAE for a few days. He will remain with his son during his stay in the country. A final decision about his return to Pakistan will be taken after the doctors review all his medical reports. His family is also awaiting the doctors’ further instructions. Bajwa had suffered serious injuries around four and a half months ago. He reportedly slipped and fell at his residence. The accident caused injuries to his head and back. He was immediately shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi for treatment. The former army chief remained admitted to the hospital for around three weeks. He received treatment under the supervision of military doctors. At the time, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) officially confirmed that Bajwa had been injured after falling at his residence. The military’s media wing said he was receiving treatment at CMH Rawalpindi. His condition was monitored by doctors during his stay at the hospital. After completing his initial treatment in Pakistan, Bajwa later travelled to the UAE for further medical assessment. His current stay in the UAE is expected to continue until doctors complete their assessment. The results of the pending tests will help determine the next course of treatment. Family sources have not provided a specific date for his return to Pakistan. They said the decision will be made after consultation with doctors. General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from November 2016 to November 2022. He retired from the position after completing his tenure in November 2022.

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has issued a statement regarding the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail for medical examination. Tarar said Imran was taken to hospital between the night of August 20 and 21 under strict security arrangements. According to the minister, Imran was examined by qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician. The doctors declared him medically fit, he said. Tarar clarified that the medical examination was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present. He said Imran was initially scheduled to be taken to Shifa International Hospital. However, PTI workers allegedly created a security situation outside the hospital and along the route, prompting authorities to take him to Pims instead. The minister said the medical examination at Pims found Imran to be in good health. Tarar added that Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, remained present throughout the medical examination and treatment process. Imran Khan returns to Adiala Jail After completing the medical examination, Imran was shifted back to Adiala Jail at around 5am on August 21, Tarar said. The minister maintained that medical facilities had previously been provided to Imran whenever required and that the government would continue to ensure necessary healthcare in the future. Jail sources also confirmed that Imran had been taken back to Adiala Jail. According to the sources, he was transported from the hospital to the prison under extremely tight security.