ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP):Pakistan and the Gates Foundation on Thursday agreed to deepen cooperation in human capital, health, financial inclusion and digital innovation, as Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held discussions with a high-level Foundation delegation. The delegation was led by Dr. Anita Zaidi, President, Gender Equality Division, along with Ms. Kalpana Kochhar, Interim President, Global Policy and Advocacy Division. They thoroughly discussed economic reforms, human …
Pakistan, Gates Foundation agree to deepen cooperation in key development areas
ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP):Pakistan and the Gates Foundation on Thursday agreed to deepen cooperation in human capital, health, financial inclusion and digital innovation, as Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held discussions with a high-level Foundation delegation.
The delegation was led by Dr. Anita Zaidi, President, Gender Equality Division, along with Ms. Kalpana Kochhar, Interim President, Global Policy and Advocacy Division.
They thoroughly discussed economic reforms, human capital development, health, financial inclusion, digital innovation and private-sector investment, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in support of Pakistan’s development priorities.
Ms. Kalpana Kochhar briefed the Finance Minister on the Gates Foundation’s growing engagement in Pakistan in human capital, child and maternal health, nutrition and women’s economic participation.
She highlighted a South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa programme combining cash transfers, nutrition support and livelihoods training, expected to benefit around 170,000 women and 450,000 children this year.
Dr. Anita Zaidi briefed the minister on the Foundation’s maternal health initiatives and the use of artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes, including LUMS AI Hub projects with provincial governments to develop localized digital health solutions.
The Gates Foundation welcomed progress in Pakistan’s financial sector and expressed interest in supporting SME financing through better data, digital footprints and cash-flow-based lending. The two sides also discussed agriculture, the digital economy, private-sector investment and efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s private equity ecosystem.
On the occasion, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed federal-provincial coordination, women’s empowerment, workforce participation and birth spacing.
He highlighted the government’s economic reform agenda, including privatization, expenditure rationalization, digitalization and improved access to finance for SMEs and agriculture through cash-flow-based lending. He also emphasized tax automation, enforcement and facilitation to strengthen revenue mobilization.
The meeting also discussed population growth and its impact on health, nutrition, poverty and girls’ education.
