During a meeting with UN secretary-general’s special envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia Dr Nafis Sadik, Gilani had initially recommended former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for the prize. After Dr Sadik apprised him that the peace prize cannot be conferred posthumously, Gilani nominated renowned social worker Edhi.The prime minister said that he was personally monitoring the polio eradication campaign and governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, chief ministers and prime minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir were required to regularly submit progress reports. He attributed the increase in polio cases in some areas to the recent floods and cross-border movements. Dr Sadik said there was low prevalence of AIDS in the country but the upward trend was worrisome. She asked Gilani to give prominent media coverage to the AIDS Day being observed on December 1, throughout the world.President Zardari approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), upon naval chief Admiral M Asif Sandila, on the prime minister’s advice.Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) is awarded to officers of the rank of general or equivalent for distinguishing themselves by meritorious service, according to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar.Published in The Express Tribune, November 29, 2011.