First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari today issued a stark reminder on World Polio Day that Pakistan’s battle against the debilitating disease is not yet won, characterizing the final push for eradication as a “shared national duty” and warning that every unvaccinated child remains vulnerable.
While acknowledging the country has made steady progress against polio, the First Lady emphasized that the task is far from complete. She noted that the persistence of cases is a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the nation’s youth. ‘Each child missed is a child at risk,’ she stated, calling for a renewed drive to reach every home and community with the polio vaccine.
Recalling the legacy of her mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who initiated Pakistan’s first nationwide polio eradication campaign in 1994, Aseefa spoke of her deep personal connection to the cause. She shared that her mother, as Prime Minister, personally administered the first polio drops to her, a moment that not only launched the national drive but also fueled her own lifelong commitment to the mission.
She paid a heartfelt tribute to the frontline personnel of the national polio campaign. She specifically honored the health workers and security officials, giving special recognition to the women vaccinators who travel to remote and hard-to-reach areas. She affirmed that the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in this cause will always be remembered, adding their efforts have brought the country closer to a polio-free future.
In her address, she strongly encouraged parents, caregivers, and community leaders to continue supporting vaccination efforts. The First Lady expressed confidence that with collective effort and care, Pakistan can achieve a future free from polio, a goal she described as being owed to the next generation.
Concluding her message, she urged all citizens to remain united and persistent in the fight until the poliovirus is fully eliminated from the country.