In the greater national interest, the vaccine will be given to frontline healthcare workers
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) donated vaccines to Pakistan army, making it the first foreign military to receive vaccine assistance from Beijing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. However, in greater national interest, the vaccine will be offered to the frontline healthcare workers in the ongoing vaccination drive.
“However, keeping with the Pakistan armed forces’ traditional spirit of ‘nation comes first, always and every time’ it has been decided to contribute the complete donation to the national vaccination drive [for] frontline healthcare workers across Pakistan who are the real heroes fighting against the pandemic and saving precious lives,” the statement said.
ISPR also appreciated the friendly gesture from the PLA and thanked them for the donation. “Pakistan’s armed forces extend their deepest gratitude to PLA and the People’s Republic of China for this magnanimous donation during testing times,” the statement said.
Asad Umar lauds military leadership
Asad Umar, who is leading NCOC in face of the current coronavirus pandemic, appreciated the decision by the military to offer the vaccine to the frontline workers.
Pakistan received its first shipment of coronavirus vaccines manufactured by China’s SinoPharm only a few days back. The half a million dosses were also a gift from the Chinese government to the people of Pakistan.