The Pakistan government will eliminate terrorism, a “disease” that has inflicted society, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said.
“If this disease is cured, we will get rid of all other diseases,” he said while talking to Chris Elias, president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and his delegation.
Sharif said his government is also committed to eradicating polio. Pakistan will benefit from the foundation’s experiences in immunisation and child mortality, he was quoted as saying in an official statement.
Responding to the foundation’s concerns about polio cases in parts of the tribal areas and Karachi, Sharif said authorities were ensuring the security of those working in conflict areas to provide full coverage to the polio program.
Pakistan is only one of three countries where polio continues to be endemic. The polio vaccination campaign has been hit by a series of attacks blamed on the Taliban and other militant groups.
Sharif thanked the foundation on behalf of the people for making substantial contributions to the polio eradication initiative in Pakistan.
“We would like to continue our close collaboration with the Gates Foundation to strengthen our national efforts as well as enabling us to play our important role in eradicating polio worldwide,” he said.
In a separate development, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglo called on Sharif here today and discussed bilateral and regional matters. Sharif said Pakistan and turkey have a shared vision in regional and global politics.
—PTI