The Bill & Melinda Gates organization is a non-profit organization working worldwide against poverty, disease, and inequality. Its co-founder Bill Gates has been awarded the Hilal-e-Pakistan Award, Pakistan’s second highest award for its polio and tuberculosis eradication efforts in Pakistan. Although the award is for the citizens of the country, it is also given to foreigners who have contributed to the development of the country. Pakistan has previously presented the award to a number of Americans, including US President Joe Biden, beginning with Ronald Spear in 1983. Joe Biden received the award in 2008. Biden, then a US senator, announced plans to expand US aid to Pakistan’s economic development. The award was presented in 2006 to Ryan Gourker, who has served as US Secretary of State in several countries, and in 2011 to Ronald Noble, a former U.S. law enforcement officer.
Bill Gates arrived in Pakistan on a day trip to inspect the polio and corona control operations. He praised Pakistan for fighting effectively against Corona with limited resources. President of the Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi presented the award to Bill Gates after a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.