Pakistan committed to eradicating polio: Kakar

ABU DHABI/KUWAIT: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Tuesday appreciated the Gates Foundation’s support to the government’s efforts to secure a polio-free Pakistan and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to rid the country of the debilitating virus.

The caretaker prime minister received a phone call from Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), to discuss progress in the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan.

The prime minister is currently on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

During the phone call, both followed up on their discussion in New York when they met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in September. In this regard, the caretaker prime minister briefed Gates on the polio vaccination drive currently in progress across Pakistan.

Kakar assured Gates that the Government of Pakistan was fully committed to delivering on the promise of a healthier, safer and financially inclusive Pakistan and counted on reliable partners such as the BMGF in this endeavour.

The issues of malnutrition and maternal health also came under discussion.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the excellent cooperation between the government and the BMGF.

The prime minister visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The prime minister commenced his visit by offering fateha at the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and recalled visionary leadership of the founding father of the UAE that enriched the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among various nations of the world. He recalled late Sheikh Zayed’s close relationship with the people and the leadership of Pakistan. 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.

He was also apprised about the mosque’s leading role in highlighting the Islamic culture’s true essence and promoting cross-cultural communication worldwide.

Caretaker Chief Minister of the Punjab Syed Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan’s Ambassador the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmzi also accompanied the Prime Minister.

He also visited the martyrs memorial and paid tributes to the national heroes.

The prime minister laid a wreath at ‘Wahat Al Karama’, the national and cultural monument meaning the oasis of dignity, to commemorate the Emiratis who laid their lives in the line of duty.

Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan briefed PM Kakar about the monument as an icon to highlight the great sacrifices of national heroes.

The prime minister was presented with a static guard of honour on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the prime minister arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the Kuwaiti leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

The caretaker prime minister will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

A new era of economic cooperation between the two countries would begin during the visit as a number of memorandums of understanding would be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defense, it was added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival.