Highly appreciate support of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Pakistan* : PM
Government fully committed to eradicate Polio from the Country* : PM
World must help 40 million Afghans on the verge of humanitarian crisis* : PM
Sothern Districts of KP to remain vigilant and proactive in the fight against Polio* : PM
Pakistan’s commitment to ending polio is inspiring* : Bill Gates
We are near the end-game against Polio* : Bill Gates
Pakistan has an opportunity to make history by ending polio* : Bill Gates
Prime Minister’s Telephonic Conversation with H.E. Mr Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of Austria*
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
On the special invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Co-Founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Mr. Bill Gates attended the meeting of National Task Force for Polio Eradication today.
While welcoming Mr. Gates, on his first ever visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its continued support and partnership with the Government of Pakistan in Polio eradication. The Prime Minister underlined that the Government is fully committed and determined towards polio eradication.
The Prime Minister said that Afghanistan being the primary source of Polio incidence in our two bordering provinces, requires urgent international support to avert humanitarian crisis including health emergency. Pakistan is providing full support for the sake of 40 million Afghan people in need of basic amenities.
The Prime Minister directed Deputy Commissioners of the districts adjoining Afghanistan borders particularly Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to remain vigilant and proactive against contamination of polio virus.
Mr. Bill Gates thanked the Prime Minister for inviting him and extending warm hospitality on his first ever visit to Pakistan. Mr. Gates highly appreciated the efforts of the leadership, health workers and parents for working tirelessly to ensure that polio never paralyzes a child again. Mr. Gates said that despite COVID-19 restrictions, Pakistan has performed amazingly and has continued with polio vaccinations.
The National Task Force on Polio Eradication paid tributes to the 36 frontline workers and 14 law enforcement personnel who lost their lives during polio vaccination to the children across the country.
Earlier, the Task Force was briefed that Pakistan has completed one year of zero polio incidence. However, the virus has been detected in environmental samples in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan province.
It was apprised that national level Polio vaccination campaigns have been launched in December, 2021 and January, 2022 with the integration of routine immunizations for children. There is effective coordination among Federal and Provincial Governments with support from Law enforcements agencies for provision of security in risk areas.
Provincial Governments apprised the meeting about resources allocated towards polio campaign and expressed full commitment towards making Pakistan polio free.
Task Force Meeting was attended by SAPM Dr. Faisal Sultan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Prime Minister AJ&K Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid, Minister Health Sindh Ms. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Health Minister Balochistan Ehsan Shah, representatives of international organizations and senior officers. Deputy Commissioners from across Pakistan joined via video link.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had one-on-one meeting with Mr. Bill Gates.
Prime Minister also hosted a lunch in honor of Mr. Bill Gates that was attended by Federal Ministers Shaukat Tarin, Asad Umer, Fawad Ahmed, Khusro Bakhtiar, SAPM Dr. Faisal Sultan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Prime Minister AJ&K.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephone call with Austrian Federal Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, today.
The conversation focused on review or bilateral ties, situation in Afghanistan, and peace and stability in the region.
Stressing the importance of economic dimensions of Pakistan-Austria relations, the Prime Minister appreciated Austrian investments and commercial collaboration with Pakistan. He emphasized the need to further expand and deepen bilateral ties in diverse sectors including higher education, renewable energy, Information Technology, and Tourism.
The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan-Austria Fachhochschule-lnstitute of Applied Sciences and Technology in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was an exemplary manifestation of bilateral partnership and desired enhanced collaboration in the field of higher education.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister stressed that the international community must take urgent Steps toward addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing an economic collapse in Afghanistan. He also highlighted the need for practical engagement to help realize the goals Of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
The Chancellor thanked the Prime Minister for efficient handling Of the situation and evacuation of Austrians and others. He also agreed on further deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the Federal Chancellor to visit Pakistan.