Young Thalassemia Patient Becomes Deputy Commissioner for a Day

Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza made 18-year-old Muneeba Maqsood, a thalassemia patient, honorary Deputy Commissioner of Attock for a day.

Muneeba, accompanied by her parents, visited the DC office where she was seated on the official chair, briefed on administrative affairs, and given a ceremonial role in district governance.

The gesture turned into an emotional moment for the family, as Muneeba described the experience as the fulfillment of a dream she never thought she could achieve.

“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,” she said.

She added that sitting in the deputy commissioner’s chair gave her courage and hoped her experience would inspire other children fighting similar illnesses.

“I want to show other children like me that we are not weak — we are fighters with dreams,” she said.

Her parents were visibly moved as they watched their daughter take the honorary role. Her father thanked the district administration, saying the family lives with constant uncertainty because of Muneeba’s illness, but the day had given them a memory they would never forget.

Her mother also called it one of the proudest days of their lives.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said the initiative was aimed at giving emotional strength to children suffering from chronic diseases, particularly thalassemia.

Earlier, the deputy commissioner also visited the Thalassemia Centre Attock, where he met children undergoing treatment, distributed medicines, reviewed healthcare facilities, and assured continued administrative support for improving patient care and welfare services.