New York, 23 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Chair of the Gates Foundation Bill Gates on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan. The prime minister thanked the Gates Foundation for its longstanding support for polio eradication and appreciated its engagement in maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization and financial inclusion. Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio and stressed the importance of eliminating the disease to protect future generations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Gates Foundation in public health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, while briefing Bill Gates on the government’s agricultural reforms focused on biotechnology, climate resilience, research and farmers’ capacity-building. The two sides also agreed to explore cooperation in improved seeds, livestock genetics and emerging agricultural technologies. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships for sustainable development, technological advancement and improved social sector outcomes, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Bill Gates to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.