Prime Minister Imran Khan and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and expressed concern regarding the deteriorating health system in the war-torn country.
In a telephonic conversation with Gates on Wednesday, PM Khan highlighted that people in Afghanistan were in dire need of financial assistance. The PM asked the Microsoft co-founder to consider providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, highlighting that more than half of the population was living below the poverty line there.
The two also discussed the importance of the resumption of polio campaigns in Afghanistan.
They also discussed polio eradication efforts and the Foundation’s support towards improving nutrition as well as financial services in Pakistan.
The PM told the Microsoft co-founder that Pakistan has reported only one case of poliovirus this year, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to end all forms of polio in Pakistan.
Gates praised PM for the progress and pledged the Foundation’s continued support to the Pakistan polio programme.
Last month, Pakistan had commenced its polio campaign with the aim to administer anti-polio and vitamin A drops to more than 40 million children up to the age of five years.