KARACHI: On World Polio Day being observed globally on Saturday (today), First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari reaffirmed the commitment to a polio-free Pakistan, where every child can grow up healthy and protected from this preventable disease.
In her message released here on Friday, she paid tribute to frontline polio workers, particularly women vaccinators, who reach children in challenging conditions and said their dedication deserved all respect and support. “The security personnel who protect vaccination teams also serve an essential role. Attacks on those working to protect our children must not deter us from this national effort.”
She said Pakistan has made progress in the fight against polio, but the work is not yet complete. “Every child who misses vaccination remains at risk. We must ensure that no child is left behind, particularly in communities where reaching families can be difficult.”
She said a polio-free Pakistan is within reach, but it will require sustained effort and the participation of every one of us.
Rotary International pledges support
Rotary International has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s efforts to stop the spread of the wild poliovirus in the country.
In a statement, Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, who helped lead eradication efforts in Nigeria on Africa’s road to wild poliovirus-free certification in 2020, said, “We have contributed more than $3bn — including $1.3 million from Rotary members in Pakistan — and invested more than half a billion of these funds and countless volunteer hours to protect over 45 million children in Pakistan from this paralysing disease.”
“Africa’s achievement demonstrates that with collaboration and political and financial support, ending polio in Pakistan and eradicating it globally is possible,” he added.
Rotary members also advocate for government support and raise awareness around polio immunisation, a critical function in Pakistan given that vaccine refusals remain an obstacle to reaching every child.
“Pakistan is demonstrating strong progress with only a handful of reported cases this year, and in order to safeguard our credibility and maintain trust, we are continuing to address other community needs,” said Aziz Memon, chair of Rotary’s Pakistan National PolioPlus Committee.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2026
