Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
02/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2026 04:21
PR No. 24 High-Level Meeting Between the Delegations of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and t
A high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has arrived in Pakistan, marking an important milestone in bilateral cooperation on indigenous vaccine manufacturing and the health sector. The visit reflects strong progress toward strengthening Pakistan's capacity for local vaccine production through strategic collaboration.
The Saudi delegation is led by Eng. Nizar Alhariri, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, and was warmly received by senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A High-Level Meeting Between the delegations of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan commenced under the leadership of Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Mustafa Kamal, with senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, comprehensive presentations were delivered on Pakistan's current status, future demand for vaccines, available infrastructure, and existing technical and institutional capacities for indigenous vaccine manufacturing.
Heads of relevant departments and attached organizations of the Ministry of Health, including the Chief Executive Officer of DRAP and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH), also briefed the delegation in detail on regulatory frameworks, manufacturing potential, and readiness for collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that Pakistan has a population of approximately 240 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the world. He highlighted that nearly 6.2 million children are born every year in Pakistan, and the Government currently provides 13 different vaccines free of cost to its citizens under the national immunization programme.
However, the Federal Health Minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal emphasized that none of these vaccines are currently manufactured locally. Instead, Pakistan imports vaccines with the support of international partners, at an annual cost of approximately USD 400 million. Of this cost, 49 percent is borne by international partners, while 51 percent is financed by the Government of Pakistan, which helps reduce the immediate fiscal burden.
He cautioned that after 2031, international financial support will come to an end, requiring Pakistan to fully finance vaccine procurement from its own economy. If local vaccine manufacturing is not established, annual vaccine-related expenditure could rise to USD 1.2 billion by 2031, placing a significant burden on the national economy.
The Federal Health Minister underlined that, under the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Health has initiated fast-track, war-footing measures to address these challenges. Practical progress is underway for the local manufacturing of vaccines for thirteen diseases, with the objective of achieving self-reliance and long-term sustainability.
The Saudi Delegation members included representatives from multiple key institutions. From the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, members included Eng. Nizar Alhariri, Advisor to the Minister; Mr. Ahmad Althobaiti, General Manager; Dr. Mohammed Alfaleh, Vaccine & Biotechnology Expert; Mr. Adnan Abualsaud, Director Bilateral Relations; Eng. Bader Althobaiti, Senior Portfolio Manager; Mr. Mohammed Alharbi, Chief of Staff; Mr. Abdulelah Alosaimi, Project Manager; and Mr. Khalid AlZahrani, Specialist Bilateral Relations.
From the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr. Mohammed Aldosary, Director of Biological Products, was part of the delegation. The delegation also included Mr. Abdullah Albaqami, Branch Director in Pakistan from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and Mr. Turki Aljlajel, Director of Government Affairs from Lifera.
Concluding his remarks, Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the health sector, particularly in vaccine manufacturing, will not only strengthen Pakistan's healthcare system but also serve as a model of regional collaboration and partnership.
Subsequently, owners and representatives of leading pharmaceutical companies and private vaccine manufacturers from across Pakistan also participated in the engagements. Under the facilitation and oversight of the Ministry of National Health Services, a series of meetings were held between these companies and the high-level Saudi delegation. The Saudi delegation highly appreciated Pakistan's vaccine manufacturing potential, the performance of its pharmaceutical industry, the Government of Pakistan's transformative initiatives in the health sector, and the prevailing business-friendly environment. The delegation reaffirmed its strong commitment that, in the coming years, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will work jointly to achieve self-reliance in the vaccine sector and meet their respective national requirements through mutual cooperation.
The Saudi delegation is led by Eng. Nizar Alhariri, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, and was warmly received by senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A High-Level Meeting Between the delegations of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan commenced under the leadership of Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Mustafa Kamal, with senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, comprehensive presentations were delivered on Pakistan's current status, future demand for vaccines, available infrastructure, and existing technical and institutional capacities for indigenous vaccine manufacturing.
Heads of relevant departments and attached organizations of the Ministry of Health, including the Chief Executive Officer of DRAP and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH), also briefed the delegation in detail on regulatory frameworks, manufacturing potential, and readiness for collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that Pakistan has a population of approximately 240 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the world. He highlighted that nearly 6.2 million children are born every year in Pakistan, and the Government currently provides 13 different vaccines free of cost to its citizens under the national immunization programme.
However, the Federal Health Minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal emphasized that none of these vaccines are currently manufactured locally. Instead, Pakistan imports vaccines with the support of international partners, at an annual cost of approximately USD 400 million. Of this cost, 49 percent is borne by international partners, while 51 percent is financed by the Government of Pakistan, which helps reduce the immediate fiscal burden.
He cautioned that after 2031, international financial support will come to an end, requiring Pakistan to fully finance vaccine procurement from its own economy. If local vaccine manufacturing is not established, annual vaccine-related expenditure could rise to USD 1.2 billion by 2031, placing a significant burden on the national economy.
The Federal Health Minister underlined that, under the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Health has initiated fast-track, war-footing measures to address these challenges. Practical progress is underway for the local manufacturing of vaccines for thirteen diseases, with the objective of achieving self-reliance and long-term sustainability.
The Saudi Delegation members included representatives from multiple key institutions. From the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, members included Eng. Nizar Alhariri, Advisor to the Minister; Mr. Ahmad Althobaiti, General Manager; Dr. Mohammed Alfaleh, Vaccine & Biotechnology Expert; Mr. Adnan Abualsaud, Director Bilateral Relations; Eng. Bader Althobaiti, Senior Portfolio Manager; Mr. Mohammed Alharbi, Chief of Staff; Mr. Abdulelah Alosaimi, Project Manager; and Mr. Khalid AlZahrani, Specialist Bilateral Relations.
From the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr. Mohammed Aldosary, Director of Biological Products, was part of the delegation. The delegation also included Mr. Abdullah Albaqami, Branch Director in Pakistan from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and Mr. Turki Aljlajel, Director of Government Affairs from Lifera.
Concluding his remarks, Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the health sector, particularly in vaccine manufacturing, will not only strengthen Pakistan's healthcare system but also serve as a model of regional collaboration and partnership.
Subsequently, owners and representatives of leading pharmaceutical companies and private vaccine manufacturers from across Pakistan also participated in the engagements. Under the facilitation and oversight of the Ministry of National Health Services, a series of meetings were held between these companies and the high-level Saudi delegation. The Saudi delegation highly appreciated Pakistan's vaccine manufacturing potential, the performance of its pharmaceutical industry, the Government of Pakistan's transformative initiatives in the health sector, and the prevailing business-friendly environment. The delegation reaffirmed its strong commitment that, in the coming years, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will work jointly to achieve self-reliance in the vaccine sector and meet their respective national requirements through mutual cooperation.
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