Authorities have imposed Section 144 — a temporary public-order restriction — across Bannu district from November 1 to 7 to address security concerns during the November anti-polio vaccination campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Bannu Zia-ur-Rehman issued the order after District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur flagged risks ahead of the drive, which is scheduled from November 2 to 5. The administration cited earlier terrorist attacks on polio teams and on police assigned to protect them as the reason for the measures.
What the order bans
Under the notification, displaying weapons, riding as a motorcycle passenger (pillion riding) and using tinted vehicle windows are prohibited throughout the district for the period of the order. Officials said anyone who breaks the rules can face legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with disobedience of a lawful order.
An exception applies to patwaris and union council secretaries who are carrying out official duties for the polio campaign: they are exempt from the restriction on carrying weapons while on that work.
Campaign launch and coverage targets
The anti-polio campaign has formally begun in Bannu. At the inauguration, Deputy Commissioner Zia-ur-Rehman and DPO Shafiullah Gandapur administered polio drops to children.
Officials said the drive aims to vaccinate 228,000 children under the age of five across 57 union councils. To cover that caseload, 1,412 polio teams, 321 area in-charges and 57 Union Council Medical Officers have been deployed.
The deputy commissioner urged parents to make sure every child under five receives the drops and asked the public to cooperate with vaccination teams. He said full coverage mattered because polio cases and the virus are present in the district.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- November 1: Section 144 takes effect across Bannu and runs through November 7.
- November 1 (Sunday): The deputy commissioner issues the order after the DPO reports security concerns.
- November 2–5: The anti-polio campaign is scheduled to run district-wide.
- Campaign launch: The drive opens with the DC and DPO giving drops to children at an inauguration ceremony.
- Deployment: 1,412 teams, 321 area in-charges and 57 UCMOs are fielded to reach 228,000 children under five in 57 union councils.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Bannu mein November 1 se 7 tak Section 144 laga diya gaya hai taake polio teams mehfooz rahain. Motorcycle par peechhe sawari, hathiyar dikhana aur tinted glass wali gaariyan is dauran mana hain. Do se paanch November tak paanch saal se kam umar ke bachchon ko polio ke qatray diye ja rahe hain — parents ko teams ka saath dena chahiye.
