- Gates Foundation delegation meets PM Shehbaz Sharif.
- Premier lauds Gates Foundation’s role in eradicating polio.
- Cashless economy key to govt’s transformation agenda: PM.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan is committed to achieving the shared goal of completely eradicating polio.
The prime minister made the remarks during his meeting with a delegation from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad. The delegation included representatives from the Gates Foundation, Kalpana Kochhar and Anita Zaidi.
During the conversation, the premier commended the Gates Foundation’s continued support and partnership during Pakistan’s developmental challenges.
“The national program for polio eradication enjoys patronage at the highest level. The Gates Foundation has played a commendable role in eradicating polio, health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and the welfare of society’s vulnerable segments,” he added.
The PM said that key reform priorities, including digital payments, food security, maternal and newborn health, poverty alleviation, and climate change, are part of the governance reforms agenda.
He said: “A cashless economy is a fundamental component of the government of Pakistan’s transformation agenda.”
The goal of “cashless Pakistan” is to simplify the lives of ordinary citizens, increase transparency in the government system, and deliver public funds to the deserving without any delay or waste, he added.
“As a result of the joint efforts of the government and the Gates Foundation, there is an increase in digital payments,” said the premier.
The premier said deserving women should receive financial assistance directly, safely, and with dignity.
PM Shehbaz expressed his desire to work on focused initiatives for women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment in collaboration with the Gates Foundation. During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters to further enhance cooperation and partnership between Pakistan and the foundation.
Earlier in the day, the Gates Foundation delegation meets Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and others.
