ISLAMABAD – US-based billionaire andr humanitarian, Bill Gates, has announced a plan to increase financial aid for Pakistan days after President Donald Trump suspended military assistance to Islamabad.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in a letter to Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Saira Afzal Tarar hailed the efforts made by Pakistan to eradicate polio.
Over new concepts floated by Pakistan regarding innovation in the health sector, the foundation, in a letter, said that a team of experts were reviewing them.
In the letter, the charity group also suggested that the NHS ministry appoint Director General (DG) of Health Dr Asad Hafeez as the focal person between the ministry and the foundation.
Media reports suggest that Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation wanted to expand engagements in Pakistan along with polio eradication campaign.
The foundation has routinely provided assistance to Pakistan to combat polio from the country.
Last week, the Trump administration said that it is not prepared to support military aid to Pakistan unless the country takes action against the terrorist groups, including Haqqani network.
A day before halting aid, Trump launched a fresh tirade against Pakistan, saying the United States had foolishly given Pakistan over $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.
In his tweet, Trump said: “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more”.
