During a visit to the Site Town Polio Resource Center in Karachi in March, Robert Scott, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee, presents flowers to a girl after immunizing her against polio. Behind is Abdul Waheed Khan, who headed the center until his tragic death in May. Photo courtesy of Aziz Memon
By Robert S. Scott, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee
Abdul Waheed Khan, who headed the Site Town Polio Resource Center in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, died tragically in an attack on 13 May that also wounded his daughter and brother.
Although not a Rotarian, Waheed, as he was known to friends, was a member of the Rotary Community Corps sponsored by the Rotary Club of Karachi. Due largely to his vision and leadership, the center not only provides immunization against polio and other diseases but also operates a school, a food program, and a vaccine storage facility.
I had the privilege of meeting Waheed a little over two months ago during a visit to the polio resource center. He briefed me on the center’s achievements, including its success in immunizing children who would otherwise be missed and changing the minds of parents who initially refuse to let their children be vaccinated.
Aziz Memon, chair of the Pakistan National PolioPlus Committee, called Waheed “a committed, multitalented individual who devoted his time and energy towards the eradication of polio, mobilizing the community, and improving the quality of life in the surrounding areas.”
On behalf of Rotary, I extend our deepest sympathy to Mr. Waheed’s family and friends, including the many Rotarians who knew him. His dedication and sacrifice further inspire us to continue pursuing our goal of a polio-free world.
Rotary Voices 
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I am so sorry that Abdul Waheed Khan has been killed doing his best to serve his community. It is sad for all of us, especially his family. I send the loving thoughts of our Rotary Club in Samford Valley Australia across the World to you in Pakistan,. We also send our deep regret and sympathy.
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Of all the things we say and do,will it be beneficial to all? Absolutely. His dedication to such a worthy cause will not go unrecognised. He is a frontline hero of the world’s war on polio. His work and effort to help in eradicating polio, is an act of courage. He has done much to uphold the values of many who care to stop this debilitating disease. To your family we send are condolences for their loss.
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Em nome do RC Surubim Centro – Distrito 4.500 eu Severino Lucena e todos os meus companheiros deixamos aqui nossas condolência a familia do Sr. Waheed que desmonstrou ser um cidadão do mundo que pensa nos bem está das outras pessoas. Assim sendo ele deve estar em bom lugar ao lado de Deus Pai todo poderoso.
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The killing of our friend Waheed at Baldia Rotary Polio Resource Center is a tragic loss. He was brave and couragous. On behalf of RotaryClub of Karachi East, I offer heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. His family needs our support. Let us work out a program to rehab his family and extend help.
PP Iqbal A. Alavi Chair Club Polio Committee Hon. Treasurer PPPC Karachi.
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:55 PM, Rotary Voices wrote:
> ** > Severino Lucena commented: “Em nome do RC Surubim Centro – Distrito > 4.500 eu Severino Lucena e todos os meus companheiros deixamos aqui nossas > condolncia a familia do Sr. Waheed que desmonstrou ser um cidado do mundo > que pensa nos bem est das outras pessoas. Assim sendo ele de” >
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My newest prayer: “God, save us all from the fanatics in every religion and politics!”
May we Rotarians continue to harness our neighbours to strive for ‘Peace through Service’.
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Remarkable person who left a legacy. Peace through service.
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This is tragic. On behlaf of RotaryClub of Karachi East, we offer condolences to his family and friends. A spirited mass mobiliser for health and education, was an asset to Civil Society. It is a loss for all of us and Pakistan Polio Plus Committee, and Orangi Pilot Project.We pledge to continue our efforts to eradicate polio and promote educaton to the marginalised communities.
PP Rtn Iqbal Alavi, RC Karachi East.
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Condolences to Family of Waheed. He will always be remembered.
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My heart-felt condolences to the family, friends and Pakstani Rotarians he will be missed
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Lamentable que perdamos una persona como Abdul, pero a su ingreso a Rotary fue un compromiso de una , “Vida feliz dedicada al Servicio de nuestros semejantes”. ejemplo que debemos seguir todos los rotarios.
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Waheed Khan did not care what happens to him but went on to vaccinate children against Polio. The way Waheed chose to handle life that made the difference demonstrate the triumph of the human spirit. Waheed might have been assassinated but the part he was playing in eradicating polio from this world would continue until the world is polio free. The Rotary world owes this to Waheed, because we may have lost today, but, tomorrow belongs to us.
My heartfelt sympathies to Waheed Khans Family.
Ghazala Chapman
Senior Vice President
Reading Rotary Club, England, UK
District 1090
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A lovely tribute. I too was fortunate to visit the Rotary Polio Plus Resource Centre and meet Waheed. It is a great loss but the Centre, with the help of Rotary and Mr Aziz, will continue on as a legacy of the hard work and absolute commitment of Waheed…
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This is tragic and heart-breaking. The people who work for our children are killed and the assassins are free, roaming around for the next polio vaccinator. BUT they will not win, their days are short and Polio will be eradicated from the world. My heart-felt condolences to his family, friends and to Pakistani Rotarians who are giving good example of Service Above Self
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my sympathies to waheed family,he was hard worker dr jewat sunder RCK-SUNDERS-3271
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I am saddened by this…We met on our trip (SNID) to Pakistan Feb. 28 to Mar. 11, and he was doing remarkable work. He became a new friend in our common cause to eradicate polio in Pakistan. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and may he rest in peace. PDG John Stairs D7080 2004/05, Canada
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May his soul rest in peace! and his work towards eradication of Polio be taken as a milestone to all those who are assisting in this.
ARC PDG Zubin Amaria
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Prayers being sent out to the family and friends of this caring man, doing such wonderful work to help eradicate polio in some of the hardest areas of our world.
Karen Teichman, PDG, District 7360 Pennsylvania, USA
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Our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Waheed, Rotary and the world lost a valuable giving soul that has been supporting the fight against Polio. And our wishes for a speedy recovery of his family injured in the attack. Nevine Abdelkhalek – RC El Tahrir – D 2450 Egypt
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So tragic !!
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Our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Waheed, Rotary and the world lost an important value, fight against Polio. And our wishes for a speedy recovery of his family injured in the attack. District 4355 CHILE
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we deeply condole the death. Let the family receive Blessings of the Almighty. let the Rotary muission continue.
Rtn.Ananth
Charter president,
Rotary Misty Hills, Madikeri
RI Dist 3180
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