UK repurposing multimillion-pound aid programme to help defeat Covid-19 in Pakistan: Turner

In a meeting with Dr Mirza, British high commissioner says UK, Pakistan are best example of international friendship

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner, in a meeting with Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Health Dr Zafar Mirza in Islamabad, said that the United Kingdom was repurposing multi-million pound aid programme to help defeat Covid-19 in Pakistan.

Both exchanged views on the eve of the virtual Global Vaccines Summit being hosted by the UK on June 4.

The UK has pledged a record funding of £1.65 billion to GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance, which distributes vaccines in the poorest countries.



The UK aims to raise a further £7 billion through the summit to support GAVI’s important work and in the virtual summit to ensure that a coronavirus vaccine is available for all countries including Pakistan.

In the meeting, Dr Zafar Mirza pledged Pakistan’s participation and support to the Global Vaccines Summit including Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for "people’s vaccine" against Covid-19 and thanked the High Commissioner for the UK’s help to Pakistan in fighting coronavirus including immediate health and humanitarian assistance.

“The government of Pakistan fully supports this very important initiative. GAVI needs to be strengthened and its funding for the next five years needs to be ensured. Pakistan is also one the largest recipients of GAVI and we’re thankful to the UK and other donors for their impactful work in immunising children,” he added.

"We look forward to the development of coronavirus vaccine and its equitable distribution to all countries. PM Khan has already given a call for "people’s vaccine" to be available to all."



The British High Commissioner said that this is a global pandemic which needs a global response to find a global vaccine made available for all. "I am pleased that the UK is co-hosting the Global Vaccines Summit to ensure that; and to support PM Imran Khan’s call for a people’s vaccine against Covid-19," he added.

Turner said that the UK and Pakistan is the best example of international friendship – and that matters more than ever now.

"In Pakistan, we are repurposing our multi-million pound UK aid programme to help defeat this terrible virus and mitigate its impacts," he added.