ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of World Polio Day, first lady of Pakistan Aseefa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio and ensuring that every child in Pakistan is protected from preventable diseases.
She said that while Pakistan has made steady progress in the fight against polio, the mission is not yet complete. “Each child missed is a child at risk,” the First Lady emphasized, calling for renewed efforts to reach every home and community with the polio vaccine.
Recalling the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who launched Pakistan’s first nationwide polio eradication campaign in 1994, Aseefa said her mother’s vision continues to inspire and guide national efforts to eliminate the disease.
The First Lady said she feels a deep personal connection to the campaign, remembering that her mother, as Prime Minister, personally administered the first polio drops to her. “That moment marked the beginning of Pakistan’s national fight against polio and shaped my lifelong commitment to this cause,” she said.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to the health workers and security personnel serving in the national polio campaign—particularly the women vaccinators who reach remote areas to ensure no child is left behind. She honored those who lost their lives in the line of duty, saying their courage has brought Pakistan closer to a polio-free future.
She urged parents, caregivers, and community leaders to support vaccination drives and stay vigilant until the disease is completely eradicated. “With unity, dedication, and compassion,” she said, “Pakistan can and will achieve a future free from polio—a promise we owe to our children.”
