ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has conferred the Award of ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’ on Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates in recognition of his support for poverty alleviation and health care.

A Special Investiture Ceremony to this effect was held here on Thursday which was attended by Federal Ministers, senior officials and members of Diplomatic Corps. Earlier, Bill Gates called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and held a one-on-one meeting. The Prime Minister hosted a luncheon in honour of Bill Gates.

Bill Gates also attended a meeting of the National Task Force for Polio Eradication. He attended a session of National Command and Operation Centre and met the federal minister for Special Initiatives Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC.