KARCHI – The first batch of much-needed medical supplies donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah received the donations at Karachi airport. Consul General of China in Karachi Li Bijian and Vice Consul of China in Karachi Zhang Hao were also present. The remainder of the donation is expected to reach Pakistan soon.
“Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Pakistan, government and people of China have been showing solidarity with and providing assistance to our iron brother Pakistan,” Li Bijian said. On behalf of Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing, Li expressed his sincere thanks to Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation for their generous donation. “The efforts by the federal and provincial governments of Pakistan to deal with the pandemic have been very strong and impressive,” he said, and hoped that after the fresh supplies, Pakistan will eventually be able to win the battle against the pandemic.
“We hope the donation will strengthen Pakistan’s fight against COVID-19 and prevent further spread of the virus. We are committed to doing everything we can to make a difference, especially overcoming the tough logistical challenges for delivery and getting the medical supplies to where it is needed most as fast as we can,” the representative of Jack Ma Foundation said. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will transport and distribute the supplies throughout the country. The shipment is part of the donation of medical supplies to 10 Asian countries announced on March 21. Collectively, the nations will receive a total of 1.8 million masks, kits for testing of 210,000 people, 36,000 pieces of protective clothing, as well as essential medical equipment such as ventilators and forehead thermometers.
