KARACHI: Despite the decrease in the rate of Polio cases in Pakistan, it is a fact that, country is plunged into the swamp of the epidemic-virus of Polio. Anti-polio drive in three districts of Karachi, launched by Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) for the elimination of this venom, is underway and has embarked its second phase with the completion of four days (first phase) amid tight security, on Friday.

However, during the first phase of the polio campaign in Sindh, approximately six million children (5758986) were vaccinated with 96 percent of the target being achieved whereas, in Karachi the first phase of the campaign is completed and approximately a million of (988645) children have been vaccinated achieving more than 96 percent of the target.

According to details, Phase two of the Karachi Campaign kicked-off on Friday, will continue till November 16 in high-risk districts of Metropolitan City, comprising Korangi, South, Malir and parts of district East- with a target of approx 1 million (953311) children.

As per the security plan for phase 2, contingent of minimum 3000 policemen were deployed, Korangi: 871 team-members were secured by 1000 police; Malir: 612 team-members were secured by 1000 security; South: 801 team-members were secured by 500 police; Partial east: 500 police guarded vaccinators.

The Pakistan army had also catered its full support to the vaccinators; Malir Cantonment had informed that army officers (observers) will be reporting at various DPCRs/DC offices in the morning, they are also expected to visit assembly areas / marrying up points of the teams and security to observe the progress. They had also informed that Rangers authorities has been directed to increase visible patrolling in the select.