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Bill Gates offers to assist Pakistan in health sector

Dawn.com Published June 11, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Former CEO of Microsoft and famous philanthropist Bill Gates has offered to extend his support to the newly-elected government of Pakistan in the health sector.

In a letter delivered Tuesday to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Dr. Waqar Ajmal Special Representative of Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Gates promised to extend financial and technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan as far as possible.

Gates congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on assumption of his office, and expressed the confidence that the new government in Pakistan special emphasis on the immunisation and eradication of fatal diseases including polio.

“The prime minister reiterated the resolve of his government to eradicate diseases from the country and welcomed the partners like Bill Gates and Melinda foundation in achieving this objective,” said a press release by the PM’s office.

The prime minister also welcomed Bill Gates’ offer to provide assistance to the government of Pakistan in controlling diseases, it said.

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Salman Khan

Jun 11, 2013 04:27pm

Please, don't .. it 'shall be' pilfered! At least, don't give to the government rather give it to the reputable nonprofits to build hospitals, health centers, dispensaries and/or better the existing ones, for the poor and have-nots.

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Jamshed Khan

Jun 11, 2013 04:38pm

Govt should seriously (but cautiously) consider this offer.

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janan

Jun 11, 2013 04:50pm

Lets empty Bill Gates bottom less pockets.

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muzammil ullah khan

Jun 11, 2013 04:57pm

The "mullas" will object because he is a jew and mulla Fazal ur Rehman will call it a jewish conspiracy !!

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Dr Afzal (USA)

Jun 11, 2013 07:04pm

Nawaz Sharif and his Government should accept Mr. Bill Gates gesture of assistance in the health sector that is direly needed for Pakistan. they should coordinate with Bill Gates Foundation and utilize many doctors in Pakistan who are highly trained in their specialities and particularly in those specialties that are direly needed to curb the diseases. With an ongoing improvement in the health sector, there is a dire need to improve environmental conditions in agriculture, food transportation handling and storage, as well as waste management, water, sanitation, and air pollution due to vehicle emmission and also industrial pollution.

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nomi

Jun 11, 2013 07:21pm

Surprised, think of him as a cia agent , trying to get through to pak nuclear defence system.

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Qaiser Bakhtiari

Jun 11, 2013 07:40pm

What a shame that Americans business and political leaders are more interested in Pakistans well being than Pakistanis. What is exactly that Pakistanis care about other than Bollywood?

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Pervaiz Lodhie

Jun 11, 2013 08:25pm

Pakistan and Pakistanis have to step up first to fix its house in order. Many others like Bill Gates will be attracted automatically. End corruption, get stolen wealth back, bring police reform and above all Education for EVERY single child. Then see Miracles start coming to Pakistan.

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Guru

Jun 11, 2013 08:32pm

Pakistan should recognize these true acts of volunteerism and give up the irrational hatred of Americans. Tell me a single Pak Industrialist who can spend his hard earned wealth this way.

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Amer

Jun 11, 2013 08:49pm

Bill and Melinda Gates are good people. It's amazing to think they are spending their own wealth on eliminating diseases, poverty and social causes. Hopefully many of the illiterate Pakistanis can start open their eyes, and realize not all Americans are evil drone attackers. Most of the world is so well in advance of Pakistan in terms of social, economic and political progress, it's very sad that the common man is helpless.

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Shah

Jun 11, 2013 09:37pm

Tou bus paisa de....Hum Bullet train banain ge. Ye Health hamari zoroorat nahi hey.

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Muhammad Awais

Jun 11, 2013 11:57pm

Such a great personality like Bill Gates offers to help the Pakistan in health sector, Pakistan should appreciate this action given by him and it is very encouraging.

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Roshan Chaudhry

Jun 12, 2013 12:58am

Lets consider Bill Gates and his fascination with 'population control', 'hegemony in the software industry' and his 'tax evasion' strategy in the ethical guise of a charitable foundation. Or lets consider his foundation's link to 'Monsanto' and its strategic aim to cripple Punjab with GM seeds. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this guy has the smell of a mega-lo-maniac and is a master Machiavellian. Oh sorry i must of forgot the age old adage: 'In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.'

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Amir Jan

Jun 12, 2013 02:28am

Bill Gates's offer should be a guiding light for Pakistani philanthropists to take up similar initiatives to improve the lot of the Pakistanis. We comment you Bill and thank you for your consideration. Pakistan would be well served if in addition to Health, Education is given top priority.

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Enaam E. Hanid

Jun 12, 2013 04:29am

Pakistan is direly in need of money for its economy and other public sector organizations. So on what ever source it comes, should be welcomed. Already many European and US are helping our country without going into the details whether it is Jew, Christian or others. When serving humanity, these things does not matter. GOD knows the intention. Imran's ex laws are Jews but no body has objected to Imran, even his sons are under their patronage and custody.We should not be biased towards any if it is in the betterment of the people of Pakistan.

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Ash Mirza (USA)

Jun 12, 2013 05:45am

@janan: I want to thanks Bill Gated to help people of Pakistan. I am sure mst people of Pakistan including kids will appreciate very much. May God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Ash Mirza (USA

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Bakhtawer Bilal

Jun 12, 2013 07:33am

It will be not the first time that Pakistan will be a beneficiary of the "Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation." From the human point of view, the aid promised and provided in the past, is much superior than the aid provided by the individuals from rich gulf states. The rich arab individuals, for the most part, provide aid for madrassa, the result of which is being suffered and will be borne by many generations to come.

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Ayub

Jun 12, 2013 09:09am

Its not about being Jewish or not. But Bill Gates is all about making money so I would not trust him at all. Gates made his remarks to the invitation-only Long Beach, California TED2010 Conference, in a speech titled,

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own

Jun 12, 2013 11:54pm

everything comes with a price.

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