Islamabad: The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar and President Global Development at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (B&MGF) Dr Chris Elias signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to join forces for poverty alleviation, according to a news source.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the founder of Microsoft & Co-chair of B&MGF Bill Gates witnessed the signing ceremony on Wednesday.
The B&MGF plans to vest around USD 200 million in Pakistan during the next year (2020). The foundation will be facilitating Pakistan with a range of activities, including expediting the stunting reduction programme, supporting financial inclusion initiatives, and investing in public health systems (to improve health and decrease maternal, neo-natal and children mortality).
Prior to the signing, the meeting between the PM, Bill Gates, and Chris Elias focused on Ehsaas Initiative and strategies to improve health, nutrition and financial inclusion in Pakistan.
Mr Khan briefed that Ehsaas aimed at offering effective safety nets through 134 new poverty-focused policy actions and programmes and is the largest poverty alleviation project ever launched in the country. He also expressed strong resolved for the polio eradication from the country.
The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Adviser to the PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, and Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood.
Please note that B&MGF’s contribution to the welfare of Pakistan has been ongoing for over a decade. The past programmes have focused on shared development priorities.
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