Pakistan in talks with Russia to procure 5 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine

Pakistan has sought help from the Russian government to procure five million more doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, a media report said.

The request was made by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov during a telephonic conversation on Monday, The News reported.

Qureshi reaffirmed that relations with Russia were a key priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

During his visit to Islamabad in April this year, Lavrov had said: “We have a number of foreign partners to produce these vaccines. So these vaccines can be supplied to Pakistan. As much as we can, we will be helping Pakistan to cover the demand “.

The first shipment of 50,000 doses of Sputnik V arrived in Pakistan in March for the private sector.

Russia has also recently lifted the ban on the import of rice from Pakistan.

Qureshi said Lavrov’s recent visit to Pakistan reflected the keenness of both sides to deepen their long-term multidimensional partnership. Qureshi said Pakistan-Russia relations had made impressive progress over the past two decades and both must continue to capitalize on their cooperation.

He further said an important development since Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit was the signing of a protocol on amendments to the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the development of the North-South Gas Pipeline Project (Pakistan Stream) adding that it would pave way for early commencement of the project.

The two foreign ministers stressed the importance of follow-up action on the decisions made during the recent visits to transform these into tangible outcomes.

Both sides agreed to work closely for an early negotiated political settlement of the Afghan issue. Meanwhile, Pakistan was Monday elected as a regular member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).