Billionaire tech entrepreneur awarded ‘Pakistan Crescent’ for his philanthropy
Pakistan has honored Microsoft founder Bill Gates with a prestigious civilian award for his foundation’s work in fighting diseases like tuberculosis and polio, presenting him with the award during a visit to Islamabad.
Gates received the Hilal-e-Pakistan (Pakistan Crescent) award – the country’s second highest civilian honor – after meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday. President Arif Alvi personally presented him with the award in a televised ceremony. Gates received the accolade “in recognition of his work to alleviate poverty and disease”, according to the Associated Press.
The award is given only once a year by the President and is not limited to Pakistani citizens, open to anyone who contributes to the country’s national interests, culture “or other significant public or private efforts.”
Gates and his nonprofit, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have worked for years to eradicate diseases like polio in Pakistan, with only one case of the disease reported last year.
Congratulation to @BillGates for winning the Hilal e Pakistan “Crescent of Pakistan” award. A well-deserved honor for your precious, exceptional and extraordinary services in the fight against poverty, disease and inequality in the world.#Pakistanpic.twitter.com/tRriQQq6Is
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) February 17, 2022
Prime Minister Khan also marked the occasion with a Tweetersharing a photo of himself with the billionaire while thanking him for “his immense contribution.” Cabinet Minister Faisal Javed Khan, meanwhile, said Gates had been granted a “well deserved honor” for his “Valuable, exceptional and extraordinary services fighting poverty, disease and inequality in the world.”
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