In a landmark development for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, ten Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Pakistani and Chinese companies in Islamabad for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing, technology transfer, vaccine collaboration, and pharmaceutical investment, marking a historic step toward pharmaceutical self-reliance and major Chinese investment in Pakistan.
Addressing the event as Chief Guest, Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal described the occasion as a historic milestone for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector, particularly in terms of local production of pharmaceutical raw materials (APIs).
He said this was a day Pakistan had waited for over many years, adding that self-reliance in healthcare can only be achieved through technology transfer and strategic industrial collaboration. He said the beginning of local API production in Pakistan would positively impact both medicine affordability and long-term supply security.
The Minister said that while 10 MoUs were signed during the conference, two flagship agreements carried particular strategic importance, focusing on pharmaceutical raw material production, technology transfer, and poultry vaccine manufacturing.
Syed Mustafa Kamal noted that Pakistan currently exports medicines to 51 countries, yet remains heavily dependent on imported pharmaceutical raw materials. He said the government is now taking practical steps to reduce this dependence and build domestic manufacturing capability.
He said Pakistan currently imports poultry vaccines worth approximately US$4.5 million, while dependence on imported vaccines remains a strategic concern.
The Minister further stated that Pakistan currently provides vaccines for 13 diseases free of cost to children, but global immunization support arrangements are expected to change by 2030, after which Pakistan will need to procure these vaccines through its own financial resources, requiring approximately US$1.2 billion annually.
He said the government is therefore working to ensure local vaccine manufacturing capacity before 2030 so that Pakistan can reduce strategic dependence on external supply chains.
Referring to the COVID pandemic, the Minister said vaccines played a critical role in reducing mortality, adding that future advances, including vaccines for diseases such as cancer, may transform healthcare outcomes even further.
Syed Mustafa Kamal said that for the first time in Pakistan’s history, a comprehensive National Vaccine Policy has been developed and approved by the federal cabinet, while the National Institute of Health (NIH) is being further activated for vaccine-related development and manufacturing support.
He added that Pakistan is making efforts to achieve WHO Level 3 certification within the coming months, which would significantly expand pharmaceutical export access from the current 51 countries to more than 150 international markets.
The Minister also highlighted broader national healthcare challenges, stating that Pakistan is adding approximately 6.2 million people annually to its population, placing enormous pressure on health, education, infrastructure, and employment systems.
He said Pakistan is currently the world’s fifth most populous country, and rapid population growth has become a major national challenge.
Highlighting maternal health concerns, he said approximately 11,000 mothers die annually due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, calling it a serious national concern requiring urgent preventive healthcare reforms.
Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, who personally played an active role in facilitating investor engagement and helping bring this Chinese pharmaceutical investment initiative to Pakistan, said the development reflects the government’s practical policy of strengthening industrial growth through strategic partnerships and international investment.
He said that after reviewing Pakistan’s pharmaceutical trade structure, it became evident that dependence on imported medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials was placing sustained pressure on foreign exchange reserves and increasing the national import bill.
Dr. Bhatti said the objective was to promote local manufacturing, attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, and build a stronger pharmaceutical ecosystem that supports both healthcare security and economic growth.
He congratulated all participating institutions, investors, and stakeholders on the successful signing of the agreements.
Held at the Mövenpick Hotel, Islamabad, the high-level ceremony was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), One Station China Desk (OSCD), and the office of Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti.
The event marked a major milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment, reduce dependence on imported pharmaceutical raw materials, strengthen local manufacturing capacity, and enhance healthcare security through strategic international partnerships.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the signing of 10 strategic MoUs between Pakistani and Chinese pharmaceutical companies, reflecting the growing momentum of Pakistan-China cooperation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Among the major agreements, Unichem Pharmaceuticals Pakistan and China’s Xinxu Group entered into a significant investment partnership valued at approximately Rs. 10 billion, under which technology transfer has formally commenced for local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The project will enable local production of critical pharmaceutical raw materials, including Omeprazole API, around 95 percent of which has historically been imported into Pakistan, significantly reducing import dependence, conserving foreign exchange, and improving domestic pharmaceutical supply resilience.
Another major agreement involved Lucky Core Group and Chinese pharmaceutical partners, further expanding industrial cooperation between the two countries.
The MoUs were formally signed by Mr. Hamid, CEO of Unichem Pharmaceuticals Pakistan; Mr. Hou, CEO of Xinxu Group; Ms. Gong Yun (Alia), Head of Healthcare Department from the Chinese side; and Mr. Saboor representing Lucky Core Group, while Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal and Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti witnessed the signing ceremony.
Senior representatives from One Station China Desk, Chinese pharmaceutical companies, and Pakistani industry stakeholders also addressed the ceremony, highlighting Pakistan’s growing pharmaceutical potential and investment opportunities.
The event concluded with a press conference, where officials reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating pharmaceutical investment, technology transfer, local manufacturing, and stronger healthcare preparedness.
Officials described the initiative as the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industrial growth, foreign investment attraction, and healthcare self-reliance.
