N Waziristan warlord bans polio vaccination, calls it a 'cover for U.S. spies'

Islamabad, June 17 (ANI): A top pro-government warlord in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal agency has banned vaccinations in the region, saying the healthcare drive was a cover for U.S. spies.

According to The Express Tribune, warlord Hafiz Gul, who has a non-aggression treaty with Pakistani authorities, made the announcement. Gul believes that the U.S. is playing host to the Haqqani network- the deadly Taliban group blamed for most violence in neighbouring Afghanistan.

"As long as drone strikes are not stopped in Waziristan there will be a ban on administering polio jabs," said a pamphlet distributed in Miramshah, North Waziristan's main town.

The pamphlet stated that the Higher Council of Mujahideen took the decision in consultation with other members.

"No one will have the right to complain about damage in case of any violation," it read.

The pamphlet, titled Mas'ul-o-Khadimul Mujahideen, stated that the people of Waziristan do not require help from the U.S., which on the one hand, is spending billions of dollars in eradicating polio, but on the other hand, is killing innocent tribesmen.

"Polio infects one child in a million, but hundreds of Waziri women, children and elders have been killed in drone strikes," it said and blamed Pakistan's government for being hand in glove with the U.S.

The pamphlet also cited the case of Dr Shakil Afridi, who was sentenced to 33 years of imprisonment by a Pakistani court after he was found 'guilty' of helping the CIA track down Osama bin Laden through a vaccination drive in Abbottabad, last year.

"Polio campaigns are also used to spy for America against the Mujahideen, one example of which is Dr Shakil Afridi," it said.

Pakistan is one of the few countries that still harbours the polio virus, but some clerics have condemned the vaccine, keeping thousands of people from vaccinating their children. (ANI)