Thalassemia patient serves as Attock deputy commissioner for a day

TAXILA: The Attock district administration on Monday invited 18-year-old thalassemia patient Muneeba Maqsood to serve as honorary deputy commissioner for a day in an initiative that Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said was meant to give emotional strength to children living with chronic diseases, particularly thalassemia.

Accompanied by her parents, Muneeba arrived at the deputy commissioner’s office and took the official seat in a symbolic gesture of inclusion and encouragement. During the visit, she was briefed on administrative work and given a ceremonial role that placed her, for a time, at the centre of district governance.

Muneeba, who appeared emotional but proud during the occasion, spoke about what the experience meant to her and her determination to keep fighting her illness.

"Today is not just a day for me, it is a dream that I never thought I could touch. I may be living with illness, but I also carry big dreams. Sitting in this chair has given me courage to believe that life can still be beautiful, and that no dream is too far away if you keep hope alive," she said, adding further: "I want to become stronger, I want to fight my illness with bravery, and I want to show other children like me that we are not weak — we are fighters with dreams."

The event was also deeply moving for her parents. Her father thanked the district administration for helping fulfil what he described as a long-cherished wish of his daughter.

"As parents of a thalassemia patient, we live with constant uncertainty. We know our daughter faces challenges that most children never have to think about. Watching her sit in the deputy commissioner’s chair today is something we can hardly put into words. The district administration has fulfilled a dream that she had cherished for years," he said.

Her mother described the occasion as one of the proudest moments of their lives.

Earlier in the day, Rao Atif Raza visited the Thalassemia Centre Attock, where he met children receiving treatment, distributed medicines, and reviewed healthcare facilities as well as arrangements for ongoing treatment. He also assured continued administrative support to improve patient care and welfare services.