Gates lauds Pakistan’s tremendous progress towards polio eradication

He has also expressed interest in the expansion of engagements in other areas

The founder of Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the 72^nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Bill Gates reiterated his continued interest in working with Pakistan for the eradication of polio in the country. He also expressed an interest in the expansion of engagements in other areas, including broader immunisation programmes.



Abbasi thanked Gates for the work the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is doing in Pakistan, particularly for the eradication of polio.

Gates credited the prime minister for the continuous commitment of the government of Pakistan in achieving the objective of polio eradication in the country. He also appreciated Abbasi’s personal commitment towards this end.



Gates appreciated the tremendous progress achieved in eradication of polio during the last four years and the expressed the expectation that all the stakeholders will make a final push to achieve the cherished goal of complete eradication of polio from the country. He also thanked key polio team members for their commitment to the cause.

Gates also expressed an interest in making financial services more accessible in Pakistan, so that more people can take advantage of online financial services.