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PM SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN’S RESOLVE TO ERADICATE POLIO Thursday, 29 January, 2026 | 9 Sha’ban, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ APPRISES GATES FOUNDATION PRESIDENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY AND COORDINATED TEAMS DRIVING NATIONWIDE ANTI-POLIO CAMPAIGNS
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ACKNOWLEDGES BILL GATES’ CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY SAUDI ARABIA
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SAYS OVER 140 MILLION CHILDREN COVERED UNDER ONGOING PSDP-FUNDED INITIATIVES SO FAR
ISLAMABAD
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said, adding that the federal government is working in full coordination with provincial authorities to ensure access for polio teams across the country. He also noted that relevant projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for polio eradication will continue. PM Shehbaz Sharif directed the federal health ministry to formulate recommendations, in coordination with all relevant institutions, to enhance public awareness and ensure the continuous supply of vaccines necessary for polio
GATES FOUNDATION EXPRESSES FULL CONFIDENCE IN PAKISTAN’S EFFECTIVE POLIO MEASURES
SAYS FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVTS WORKING IN FULL HARMONY TO ENSURE ACCESS FOR VACCINATION TEAMS
Staff report
RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to completely eliminate polio from the country, stressing that the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy with an effective, coordinated team to achieve eradication at the earliest. Premier Shehbaz expressed the views while meeting Dr. Chris Elias, President for Global Development at the Gates Foundation, who along with his delegation called on the prime minister at the PM House. The prime minister expressed gratitude for the support of trusted partners, particularly the Gates Foundation, and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of Bill Gates in Pakistan’s fight against polio. He also highlighted the assistance extended by brotherly Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia, in ongoing eradication efforts. “Despite significant progress in the fight against polio, urgent measures remain indispensable,” the prime minister
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eradication. Dr. Chris Elias appreciated the prime minister’s personal attention and active role in the anti-polio campaign, noting that Pakistan is taking effective, concrete steps toward the complete elimination of the disease. He emphasized that constructive consultations with federal and provincial governments and relevant institutions will continue to maintain the momentum of the campaign. “Commendable measures have been taken to eliminate the environmental presence of the polio virus and to ensure
access for vaccination teams in all areas,” Elias added, expressing full confidence in Pakistan’s ongoing anti-polio efforts. He also conveyed best wishes from Bill Gates and expressed hope that Pakistan will soon reach the milestone of complete polio eradication. The Gates Foundation delegation included Director Polio Dr. Kathy Neuzil and Deputy Director Polio Michael Galway. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other senior government officials were present during the meeting. On the occasion, Minister Ahsan Iqbal briefed the delegation on PSDP initiatives for polio eradication, while Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal thanked the prime minister for his leadership and the Gates Foundation team for their continued support. Ayesha Raza Farooq also updated the participants on ongoing anti-polio initiatives across all provinces and cities. PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Dr. Kathy Neuzil on her recent appointment as Director for Polio and extended his best wishes for her continued success.
Pakistan, China enter new phase of economic partnership: Iqbal ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said Pakistan and China were entering a decisive new phase of economic partnership by placing mineral development at the core of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, aimed at shifting cooperation from connectivity to productivity, exports and sustainable growth. Addressing the launching ceremony of the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum, the minister said the two countries were repositioning their strategic partnership towards minerals-led industrialisation, with Gwadar emerging as a key gateway to connect Pakistan’s mineral-rich regions with regional and global markets. He said the initiative reflected a deliberate transition from infrastructurefocused cooperation to value-added and export-oriented collaboration as Pakistan and China approach the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. “As we approach 75 years of Pakistan-China relations, our partnership stands as a model of continuity, trust and strategic depth. This relationship has never witnessed a season of autumn; it has always flourished in spring and reached new heights every year,” Ahsan Iqbal remarked. Highlighting achievements under CPEC Phase-I, the minister said the corridor remained the most visible symbol of bilateral cooperation, adding that completed projects had contributed more than 8,000 megawatts to the national grid, upgraded over 1,000 kilometres of road infrastructure, modernised Gwadar and significantly strengthened national connectivity. Referring to his recent visit to Gwadar, he said the China-built international airport had positioned the port city for a central role in Pakistan’s next phase of economic growth. “Gwadar is now ready not only to function as a smart port city but also to serve as a hub for the mining industry by linking Pakistan’s mineral resources with global markets,” he said. Ahsan Iqbal noted that CPEC Phase-II was focused on addressing Pakistan’s longstanding structural weaknesses, particularly its narrow export base. “Infrastructure for its own sake is not enough. Our goal is to convert connectivity into productivity, productivity into exports, and exports into jobs and sustainable growth,” he added.