Anti-polio health workers have been getting killed not only in the previously Taliban infested tribal areas, but even in big cities like Quetta and Karachi. In other places many parents, influenced by extremist propaganda, have also been refusing to have their children vaccinated against this debilitating disease. Either out of ignorance or some ulterior motive, religious extremist groups claim polio vaccination is a Western plot to stop increase in Muslim populations by sterilizing Muslim children. It is no coincident that polio is endemic in the three countries - Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria - most affected by the rise of violent religious extremism. Hence the misinformation they have been spreading needed to be countered effectively. Notably, in KP, a prominent pro-Taliban leader, JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq, had at first issued a fatwa against polio vaccination until convinced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan to change his stance. He not only withdrew the fatwa but administered polio drops to children in a much publicized event. That and a government public awareness campaign featuring religious and a cricketing icon, Shahid Khan Afridi, have helped bring down extremist attacks on polio teams. Yet as the present tragic incident shows, TTP terrorists have not given up their nefarious agenda.
Unfortunately, the provincial government seems to have lowered its guard. Despite the imminent threat, contrary to the previous practice of police accompanying health workers, the two women who lost their lives had no such protection. The overall law and order situation in the province is no less disturbing. There have been continual terrorist attacks, like the one on Thursday, on police and different other security agencies' personnel as well as ordinary citizens. The TTP may have taken responsibility for the latest incident, but violent religious extremists and insurgents backed by certain outside elements inimical to this country are also active in the province. Their foot soldiers and facilitators though are not foreigners. The large presence of Afghan refugees is also complicating matters. Despite the government's repeated calls for their early return to Afghanistan, the Kabul government is not ready yet to receive them. Given the situation, what clearly is needed at this point in time is better intelligence sharing between civil and military agencies, and the provincial as well as federal authorities' unremitting focus on defeating violent extremists of all stripes.