Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has met Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, in New York.

The Prime Minister appreciated the support of the Gates Foundation in the areas of financial inclusion including eradication of polio.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicate polio from Pakistan and thanked the Gates Foundation for its long-standing support.

Bill Gates appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Bill Gates has said that complete eradication of polio is important to protect future generations.

He also appreciated the personal guidance provided by the Prime Minister to the provincial governments regarding the polio vaccination programme.

Shahbaz Sharif appreciated the partnership of Gates Foundation and expressed interest in increasing cooperation in health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence.

The Prime Minister briefed Bill Gates on agricultural reforms, agreed on the possibility of cooperation on better seeds, genetic improvement of livestock and new agricultural technologies, vowed to further strengthen partnerships for sustainable development and improvement of social sectors.

Bill Gates’ previous visit to Pakistan was also mentioned in the meeting and he was invited to visit again soon.