PM Shehbaz stresses digital payments, polio eradication in meeting with Gates Foundation team
Hails foundation for its role in polio eradication, health, nutrition and financial inclusion
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting with representatives from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad, expressing gratitude for their ongoing support and partnership amid Pakistan's development challenges. The prime minister emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to completely eradicate polio, highlighting the National Polio Eradication Programme's elevation to the highest level of patronage.
The Prime Minister's Office reported that the meeting underscored the government's resolve to eliminate polio and praised the Gates Foundation for their commendable role in health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and welfare of vulnerable segments of society. He outlined key reform priorities, including digital payments, food security, maternal and newborn health, poverty alleviation, and climate change, as part of the government's governance reforms agenda.
Digital payments, according to the prime minister, are increasing due to joint efforts by the government and the Gates Foundation, aiming to facilitate life for ordinary citizens, enhance transparency in government systems, and ensure the timely delivery of public funds to deserving segments of society. He also expressed a desire to partner with the Gates Foundation on initiatives focused on women's financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Pakistan currently remains one of only two countries, alongside Afghanistan, where polio continues to circulate. The country has reported three polio cases in 2026, following a significant reduction in cases by 99.8 percent since the Polio Eradication Initiative's launch in 1994. Despite a recent resurgence in polio activity, particularly in Karachi since September 2023, overall poliovirus transmission has been declining.
Pakistan has implemented three nationwide polio campaigns this year, protecting approximately 45 million children, with the next campaign planned for this month, targeting over 31 million children across multiple provinces.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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