PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Gates Foundation delegation, agrees to expand cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a delegation from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad with discussions focusing on Pakistan’s development challenges and ways to further strengthen cooperation in several key areas including polio eradication, healthcare, nutrition and digital payments.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a delegation from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad with discussions focusing on Pakistan’s development challenges and ways to further strengthen cooperation in several key areas including polio eradication, healthcare, nutrition and digital payments.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Gates Foundation delegation included representatives Kalpana Kochhar and Anita Zaidi.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the Gates Foundation’s continued support and partnership with Pakistan in addressing the country’s development challenges. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the shared goal of completely eradicating polio from the country.

The prime minister said Pakistan’s national polio eradication programme enjoys support at the highest level. He also praised the foundation for its valuable contribution to polio eradication, healthcare, nutrition, financial inclusion and the welfare of vulnerable segments of society.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted several reform priorities of the government, including digital payments, food security, maternal and newborn health, poverty reduction and climate change. He said these areas form an important part of the government’s broader governance reform agenda.

The prime minister said the transition towards a cashless economy is a key component of the government’s transformation agenda. According to him, the goal of a cashless Pakistan is to make everyday life easier for citizens improve transparency within government systems and ensure that public funds reach deserving beneficiaries without unnecessary delays or losses.

He noted that joint efforts by the government and the Gates Foundation have contributed to the expansion of digital payments in Pakistan.

The prime minister further emphasized the importance of ensuring that deserving women receive financial assistance directly, securely and with dignity.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to work closely with the Gates Foundation on targeted initiatives aimed at increasing women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment. He said greater access to secure digital financial services could help improve economic opportunities for women and strengthen their participation in the formal economy.

The meeting also included discussions on ways to make cooperation and partnership between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation more effective.

The engagement reflects the government’s focus on strengthening partnerships with international development organizations to address major challenges in public health, poverty reduction, financial inclusion and social welfare.