NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates on the sidelines of 70th session of UN General Assembly.
Gates appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio from the country. The prime minister also appreciated Bill and Milanda gates foundation projects for help in Pakistan.
The former Microsoft CEO appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to control polio and acknowledged that progress made to eliminate the crippling disease in the country.
Gates also appreciated ‘critical role’ being played by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in the anti-polio drive in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
The Pakistani premier said he was personally spearheading the anti-polio campaign as against 306 polio cases last year, only 36 have been registered this year thus far.
Nawaz Sharif also invited world’s renowned IT leader to visit Pakistan in near future upon which Bill Gates promised to consider the request.
On the other hand, Sri Lankan president agreed to enhance bilateral relationship of both countries. Maithripala Sirisena thanked Pakistan for assistance in development and defence-related matters.
PM would next meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines.
