ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the residents of Indian-administered Kashmir in their struggle for the right to self-determination in a message marking the third death anniversary of Syed Ali Geelani, a veteran leader of the region.
Geelani was a prominent pro-independence leader in the disputed Himalayan region who was known for his staunch opposition to Indian rule. He passed away in September 1, 2021, two years after India revoked the special constitutional status of Kashmir, intensifying tensions in the region.
Both Pakistan and India administer parts of Kashmir, but each country claims the territory in full.
“Syed Ali Geelani will always be remembered as a prominent name in the freedom movement of Kashmir,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office. “He dedicated his entire life to this cause.”
“This struggle will continue until the Kashmiris achieve their right to self-determination,” he continued. “Pakistan will continue to provide moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiris.”
Geelani was arrested and jailed multiple times during his political career.
Reflecting on his life, the prime minister said even the hardships and suffering of his imprisonment could not weaken his resolve.
“His sacrifices will not be in vain,” he added.
After revoking Kashmir’s special constitutional status in 2019, India is now preparing to hold the first elections in the disputed region in a decade.
The electoral contest will take place between September 18 and October 1, with the vote count scheduled for October 4.
Pakistan PM pledges continued support for Kashmir on veteran leader’s death anniversary
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Pakistan PM pledges continued support for Kashmir on veteran leader’s death anniversary
- Syed Ali Geelani, who opposed Indian rule, was arrested and imprisoned multiple times during his career
- PM Sharif calls him a prominent name in the freedom movement, says that his sacrifices will not be in vain
Pakistan PM’s aide urges parents to vaccinate children against polio in campaign starting Feb. 2
- Islamabad last year conducted six campaigns that reduced cases to 30 from 74 in 2024
- Pakistan targets more than 45 million children in first immunization campaign of 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq on Saturday urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against the disease as the country gears up to launch the first nationwide immunization campaign of this year on Feb. 2, seeking to curb the spread of the virus.
Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated vaccination for every child under five.
Pakistan aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children against polio during the first nationwide immunization drive of 2026, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
The anti-polio campaign will be launched on Feb. 2 and run till Feb. 8. It will run simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are the only two countries where polio remains an endemic.
“Public cooperation is crucial for polio eradication,” Farooq said in a statement. “Parents must ensure that their children receive polio drops in every campaign.”
The NEOC last year conducted six nationwide campaigns against poliovirus in Pakistan, where cases came down from 74 in 2024 to 30 in 2025.
Farooq said more than 400,000 polio workers will go door-to-door to administer polio drops to children, urging communities to cooperate with vaccinators.
“Religious scholars and the media should play an effective role in polio awareness,” she added.
