Aseefa Bhutto Zardari carrying forward legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari was carrying forward the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

“A nationwide polio vaccination campaign has begun across Pakistan to protect over 45 million children from this preventable disease. Carrying forward the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari continues her strong advocacy for child health and timely vaccination,” he said.

Umar Rehman Malik said parents “are urged to fully cooperate with health teams and ensure every child under five receives polio drops. A polio-free Pakistan is a shared national responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan successfully concluded its second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026, reaching millions of children across the country. The drive highlighted continued efforts to eradicate the virus despite ongoing challenges.

The second nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2026 has been completed, with more than 44.7 million children vaccinated across Pakistan. Health authorities credited the achievement to the dedicated efforts of frontline polio workers who ensured access to even the most remote areas.

Officials said the campaign reflects sustained momentum in the country’s fight against polio, with large-scale participation across all provinces and regions.

Punjab recorded the highest number of vaccinations, with more than 23 million children receiving polio drops during the campaign. The province remains a key focus due to its large population.

In Sindh, more than 1.4 million children were vaccinated, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported over 7.22 million vaccinations, showing strong outreach in high-risk areas.Balochistan saw more than 2.62 million children vaccinated as part of the drive.

In Islamabad, over 441,000 children received polio drops. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan reported vaccinations for more than 292,000 children.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir also contributed significantly, with approximately 717,000 children immunized during the campaign.

Health officials emphasized that the success of the campaign was made possible by the tireless work of polio workers. Their door-to-door efforts ensured that millions of children were reached, even in challenging and underserved areas.