Government Initiative - Gates thanks Imran Khan for productive discussion on polio eradication.

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

Presently Bill Gates a Microsoft co-founder, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan during his first-ever visit to Pakistan and discussed matters related to polio eradication and other important problems. Bill Gates, who is visiting Pakistan on a day-long trip, held meetings with senior government officials, counting a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to a statement issued by the PM Office. The Microsoft co-founder attended a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication, where he noted that despite Covid-19 restrictions, Pakistan's has performed "amazingly" in eradicating polio.

He thanked Imran Khan for inviting him and extending warm hospitality on his first-ever visit. He appreciated the attempts of the leadership, health workers, and parents for working tirelessly to ensure that polio never paralyses a child again. During the meeting, PM of Pakistan Imran Khan thanked the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for its continued support and partnership with the government of Pakistan in polio eradication. Imran told Bill Gates that his government is totally committed and determined towards polio eradication. Imran asserted that Afghanistan, being the primary source of polio incidence in Pakistan's two bordering provinces, requires urgent international support to avert humanitarian crisis.

The Government of Pakistan is offering full support for the sake of 40 million Afghan people in need of basic amenities," Imran informed the philanthropist. In the meeting, Imran Khan also directed deputy commissioners of the districts adjoining Afghanistan borders, mainly the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to remain vigilant and proactive against contamination of poliovirus. The task force paid tributes to the 36 frontline workers and 14 law enforcement personnel who lost their lives during polio vaccination to the children in Pakistan, the statement from the PM Office said. Furthermore, Bill Gates also visited the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) where he met Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar...