Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his commitment to completely eliminate polio from Pakistan during a meeting in Islamabad, attended by Bill Gates and officials from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
This marks Gates’ second visit to Pakistan, following a previous meeting with former PM Imran Khan in February 2022.
Shehbaz Sharif, who met Gates earlier in April at the World Economic Forum summit, acknowledged the BMGF’s steadfast support in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts of federal and provincial governments, highlighting recent polio campaigns and ongoing challenges, including new environmental samples and reported cases.
The prime minister discussed broader areas of partnership with the foundation, such as digitization initiatives aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s economy. Gates reaffirmed the commitment to continue polio eradication efforts over the next few years, aiming for a polio-free Pakistan.
In related efforts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also expressed determination to make the province polio-free during discussions with BMGF’s Deputy Director Michael Galloway earlier in March. Last year, Shehbaz Sharif assured Gates of Pakistan’s unwavering dedication to eliminating polio during a telephone conversation.
