Pakistan, UAE welcome efforts to collaborate in COVID-19 vaccine production

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday held a telephone conversation with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with both leaders welcoming efforts to collaborate to produce coronavirus vaccines. 

Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has developed a homemade vaccine — PakVac — with the help of Chinese company CanSinoBio. The vaccine has been prepared after rigorous quality control checks and meets the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards. China has provided the raw materials after a technology transfer agreement was filed.

“Both leaders welcomed efforts to enhance collaboration in COVID-19 vaccine production and in the field of Information Technology,” the Pakistani PM’s office said in a statement. “The two leaders reaffirmed the close fraternal relations between the two countries and discussed ways to further cement and diversify bilateral ties.”

“The Prime Minister underscored the importance of responsible withdrawal and steady progress by the Afghan parties toward a political solution,” the statement said. “It was agreed to continue with the momentum of high-level exchanges to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.”