Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chairman Gates Foundation, Bill Gates visited National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC).
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt. General Inam Haider Malik gave a comprehensive briefing about NDMA and NEOC encompassing the pre and post disaster mechanisms that are in place to predict and cope any disaster including both natural catastrophes and human induced incidents.
Prime Minister and Chairman Gates Foundation visited different sections of the NEOC whereby experts briefed them about the operations of the organization. Chairman Gates Foundation appreciated the state of the art facilities at NEOC and underscored the importance of predictions of disasters to mitigate the losses and to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation in the aftermath. He also appreciated the efforts of the current government in prioritizing this important area as climate change is adversely affecting the vulnerable countries as happened in Pakistan during the floods of 2022.
Afterwards, an interactive session including the Prime Minister, Chairman Gates Foundation, Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Cultural Heritage Attaullah Tarar, Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khursheed Alam, Entrepreneurs, Climate Change Activists and Experts was held.
The session discussed innovative steps and tailor made solutions for Pakistan regarding health, nutrition, gender balance, preventive diseases, climate change, disaster management, climate resilient agriculture and other multiple areas. The meeting concluded with a firm resolve of cooperation between Gates Foundation and Pakistan to come up with solutions to the issues with mutual cooperation. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chairman Gates Foundation Mr. Bill Gates for his resolve to help Pakistan in multiple areas that will benefit the common man.