Shehbaz Sharif, Bill Gates Discuss Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Efforts
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates in New York on Wednesday to discuss Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate polio and expand cooperation in health, agriculture and technology.
The meeting took place as Prime Minister Shehbaz was in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating polio and thanked the Gates Foundation for its continued support for vaccination and disease-eradication efforts.
The PMO said Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s ongoing work against polio and stressed the importance of eliminating the disease to protect future generations. He also appreciated Shehbaz’s engagement with provincial governments regarding the nationwide vaccination programme.
The two sides reviewed the foundation’s recent engagement in Pakistan and cooperation in areas including polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, digitalisation and financial inclusion.
Shehbaz also expressed interest in expanding collaboration in public health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, according to the PMO.
During the meeting, the prime minister outlined ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, including efforts related to biotechnology, research, climate resilience and improving farmers’ access to modern technologies.
Pakistan and the Gates Foundation also agreed to explore cooperation in areas such as improved seeds, livestock genetics and emerging agricultural technologies.
Shehbaz invited Gates to visit Pakistan again in the near future, the PMO said.
Pakistan Continues Polio Eradication Efforts
Pakistan continues to face challenges in eliminating poliovirus, particularly in areas where security conditions can make vaccination campaigns difficult.
According to the information provided in the report, the latest case was detected in an eight-month-old child in Bannu district, taking the country’s reported total to four cases in 2026 at the time of the report.
Three of the four reported cases were from Bannu Division. Health authorities have linked continued virus transmission in parts of southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to vaccination gaps and difficulties reaching children in some communities.
Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases in 2024 and 31 in 2025, following a significant decline in earlier years. Officials continue to focus on vaccination campaigns and improving access to children in areas where coverage remains challenging.
Security concerns also remain an important issue for vaccination teams working in high-risk locations, while authorities continue to address missed vaccinations and other barriers to immunisation.
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis. There is no cure for polio, but vaccination can prevent infection and help protect children from its serious effects.
Pakistan’s health authorities and international partners continue to conduct vaccination campaigns as part of efforts to interrupt transmission and ultimately eliminate the disease.
