New York (GNP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to fully eradicating polio from the country during a meeting with Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Referencing the Gates Foundation team’s recent visit to Pakistan earlier this month, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the organization’s continued engagement in supporting polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization, and financial inclusion efforts across the country.
Sharif underscored Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to completely eliminate polio, thanking the Gates Foundation for its long-standing support in this critical effort and personally reaffirming his own commitment to the cause.
In response, Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s progress under the Prime Minister’s leadership, stressing that eradicating polio remains essential to protecting future generations from the disease. He commended Sharif’s direct involvement in guiding provincial governments on implementing the polio vaccination programme nationwide.
The Prime Minister praised the Gates Foundation as a trusted partner in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and voiced interest in expanding collaboration into additional areas, including public health, agriculture, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence.
He also briefed Gates on the government’s ongoing agricultural reforms, which focus on innovation, biotechnology, climate resilience, research, and capacity-building for farmers. Both sides agreed to explore potential collaboration in developing improved seed varieties, livestock genetics, and emerging agricultural technologies.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to continued, constructive engagement aimed at deepening partnerships that support sustainable development, technological progress, and improved social outcomes for the people of Pakistan.
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Recalling his previous visits to the country, Sharif extended an invitation to Gates to visit Pakistan again at his earliest convenience.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
