Daily Times

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), to discuss the ongoing progress in eradicating polio from Pakistan.

The conversation took place while the prime minister was on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Building on their prior discussion in New York during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in September, Kakar and Gates delved into the current status of efforts to combat the menace of polio in Pakistan.

The prime minister commended the Gates Foundation for its steadfast support of the government’s initiatives to make Pakistan polio-free. He emphasised Pakistan’s resolute commitment to eliminating this debilitating virus and provided updates on the ongoing polio vaccination drive across the country.

The conversation also touched upon critical issues of malnutrition and maternal health, showcasing the comprehensive nature of the discussion. Expressing contentment, the prime minister highlighted the excellent cooperation between the government and the BMGF. He assured Gates of the Pakistani government’s full dedication to realising a promise of a healthier, safer, and financially inclusive Pakistan. The prime minister underscored the importance of reliable partnerships with organisations like BMGF in achieving these goals.

Meanwhile, Anwaarul Haq Kakar embarked on a two-day visit to Kuwait on Tuesday after wrapping up his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on social media platform X said PM Kakar left for Kuwait from Abu Dhabi’s Al-Bateen airport. He was seen off by UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Pakistani diplomatic staff.

According to Radio Pakistan, the premier will meet Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Jaber Al Sabah and Kuwait PM Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah.

The PMO said a “new era of economic cooperation” between the two countries will begin with the visit.

PM Kakar will also sign various memorandums of understanding (MoU) in the fields of manpower, information technology, mineral exploration, food security, energy and defence, the report said.

It added that 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait. Earlier in the day, PM Kakar visited a landmark in Abu Dhabi which paid tribute to the sacrifices rendered by UAE’s national heroes. The PMO said the premier was welcomed by Sheikh Thayeb bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the presidential court.

“The prime minister attended the solemn guard of honour ceremony. Afterwards, he laid a wreath at the martyrs’ monument,” the PMO statement said. At the end of the tour, PM Kakar noted his remarks on the memorial’s guest book, expressing his appreciation for the UAE’s brave martyrs, it added.

Later, Kakar also paid a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. “During the visit, the prime minister was briefed about the mosque’s noble message that highlights notions of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to other cultures, inspired by the nation’s late founder’s rich legacy,” the PMO said.