ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ministry of Health has demanded an additional Rs 35 billion for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.

According to the sources privy to the development, the money was sought from a loan granted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Pakistan for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.

Sources further said that the summary will be presented before the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on November 15. In the first phase, a loan of Rs 50.10 billion was approved for the purchase of vaccines.

Sources added that Rs 300 million had been sanctioned earlier, the amount would be provided under the technical supplementary grant.

Note that funds have been sought for the current financial year 2021-22. ADB had approved a loan of  $500 million for Pakistan to procure Covid-19 vaccines and strengthen the country’s capacity to achieve its vaccination programme.

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank had signed the agreement on August 6, 2021.

47.2 million have been fully vaccinated as part of the Government-led vaccination campaign in Pakistan so far, according to the data provided by the health ministry’s official website.