Federal Cabinet okays grant of $150 mln to buy coronavirus vaccine

December 02, 2020: The Federal Cabinet has approved the grant of 150 million dollars to procure the anti-Covid vaccine.

This was announced by Prime Minister's Special Assistant on National Health Dr. Faisal Sultan along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz while giving details about decisions taken by the federal cabinet, which met in Islamabad yesterday.

The Special Assistant said, for this purpose, few companies have been shortlisted, contacted and an initial conversation has been started with them. He said in the first phase of providing the vaccine, our priority will be healthcare workers and old age people who are most vulnerable to the virus.

The Minister said in today's meeting, the cabinet was apprised of the latest development of the Ravi and Bundal Island projects. It was informed that investors have expressed their full satisfaction with the steps taken for the development of the construction sector by Prime Minister Imran Khan, therefore, they are willing to invest in these megaprojects.

He said the forum was informed that these projects are planned to keep the environment clean and attract foreign investment.

Addressing the Cabinet, the Prime Minister said that the country needs serious decisions and attitudes to contain the spread of the global pandemic. He said it is unfortunate for the country that it witnessed 67, the highest number, of deaths of corona-hit-patients but opposition parties are holding rallies in such a situation and playing with people's lives. The meeting also approved the reduction of the price of 100 mg injection of REMDESIVIR from 9,244 to 5,680 rupees which is being used for corona treatment. The chair directed to ensure timely procurement and availability of corona vaccine at every cost.

Imran Khan also directed to ensure uninterrupted availability of gas to domestic consumers and export-oriented industries and said that a mechanism should be devised to provide information in advance about the supply of gas for the whole year. Endorsing decisions taken at the meeting of the Committee on Legislation the Prime Minister said there should be no relaxation in the law against perpetrators of heinous crimes. He said strict punishment should be meted out to prevent abuses against women and children to prevent such tragic incidents.

Radio Pakistan