ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has requested Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s (BMGF) co-chairman Bill Gates for financial assistance for the people of war-torn Afghanistan.

“More than half of the population in Afghanistan is living below the poverty line and in dire need of financial assistance,” the prime minister told Mr Gates during phone conversation on Wednesday.

According to the PM Office (PMO), the prime minister requested Mr Gates to consider providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

Both the prime minister and Mr Gates expressed concern over health crisis in Afghanistan, the only country other than Pakistan that is polio endemic. The two sides underscored importance of resumption of polio campaigns in Afghanistan and measures to protect Pakistan’s recent gains towards ending polio.

While discussing Pakistan’s continued progress against polio eradication, Prime Minister Khan said only one case of wild poliovirus (WPV) was recorded in the country this year. He appreciated the assistance provided by BMGF in this regard and said the government was committed to make Pakistan polio-free.

Mr Gates praised the premier for the progress and pledged his foundation’s continued support to the Pakistan polio programme for ensuring that no child was at risk of paralysis due to poliovirus. He also noted the positive impact of the premier’s leadership in convening a meeting with deputy commissioners in high-risk polio districts in August.

Besides, Mr Gates congratulated Mr Khan for Pakistan’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout and observed the government-led programmes including Ehsaas was making impressive progress in reducing stunting, and the digitization of the National Savings Programme through Karandaaz.

He offered continued collaboration through the Gates Foundation to improve the health and well-being of Pakistanis.

Mr Khan thanked Mr Gates for his foundation’s valuable partnership with Pakistan.