NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, on Saturday in New York – where the latter lauded Pakistan's efforts to wipe out the crippling poliovirus from the country.

They discussed Pakistan's efforts in bringing about positive changes in the fields of education and health to provide better facilities to the common man.

The premier renewed his commitment to further focus on the improvement of health and education sectors, and said only 32 cases of polio had been recorded this year so far, as opposed to 396 cases in the preceding year.

Nawaz Sharif thanked and appreciated Bill Gates for his efforts to eradicate polio, and for pursuing other health and social projects in Pakistan.

In-depth: Lost — The battle against polio.