ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his government’s resolve to eradicate polio in Pakistan in a meeting with philanthropist Bill Gates, the PM Office said on Monday, assuring the utilization of all state resources to protect polio workers carrying out vaccine campaigns.
Pakistan reported its fifth polio case this June. The infectious disease has been eliminated in developed nations but persists in parts of India, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. At least 11 policemen have been killed this year while on security duty during vaccination campaigns which are frequently targeted by militants.
“The prime minister briefed on a strong and focused strategy to address the rising threat of polio virus infections and the necessary steps to completely eradicate the disease from Pakistan,” the PM Office said in a press release on Monday. “He reiterated the government’s firm commitment to polio eradication, stressing that it is a top priority.”
The statement said the prime minister would personally oversee national efforts being carried out for the eradication of polio.
“Mr Gates also expressed confidence that with continuous vaccination and the government’s strong commitment, there would be significant progress in the polio eradication campaign,” the PM Office added. “Both parties agreed to continue working together not only on polio eradication but also on strengthening the health system across all provinces.”
PM Sharif also accompanied Gates to the National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) which monitors the polio eradication campaign.
Many Pakistanis, particularly those residing in the conservative tribal areas, consider the polio vaccination a Western campaign aimed at sterilizing the country’s population. In 2012, the local Taliban had ordered a ban on immunization against polio in some tribal districts. Dozens of polio workers have been killed in the country in the line of duty.
PM Sharif reiterates Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate polio in meeting with Bill Gates
https://arab.news/5mz7n
PM Sharif reiterates Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate polio in meeting with Bill Gates
- Says will utilize all state resources to protect polio workers taking part in vaccine campaigns
- Pakistan reported fifth polio case of this year in the southwestern city of Quetta
Pakistan PM in Austria to strengthen economic ties on first official visit in over 30 years
- PM Shehbaz Sharif will meet Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, address Pakistan–Austria Business Forum
- The Pakistan premier says the focus of his interactions would be on trade, investment and economic cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna on Sunday on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, marking the first official visit by a Pakistani premier to Austria in over three decades.
Sharif is undertaking the visit, which marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker’s invitation, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
This marks the first visit by any Pakistani prime minister to Austria in more than three decades since then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also Sharif’s elder brother, visited the country in 1992.
Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was warmly welcomed by Austrian officials and presented a salute by a contingent of Austrian armed forces upon arrival at the Vienna airport, his office said.
“Wheels down in Vienna, a city of history, culture and global diplomacy,” the Pakistan premier said on X late Sunday, adding that he looked forward to his meeting with Chancellor Stocker.
“Our focus shall be on trade, investment and economic cooperation.”
He said he was also keen to engage with the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and United Nations Industrial Development Organization to deepen cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, counter-narcotics and crime control, sustainable industrial development and shared progress.
During the visit, Sharif’s office said, the prime minister will also address the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum and co-chair with the Austrian chancellor a meeting of leading businessmen to increase investment between the two countries.
Islamabad and Vienna enjoy cooperation in the domains of trade, economy, culture and education, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry. Sharif’s visit will establish new dimensions to the Pakistan-Austria relations.
