The third batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government was handed over to the Pakistani side during a ceremony in the country on Monday.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan, on behalf of the Pakistani government, thanked the Chinese government and people for providing the vaccine aid.

Protecting lives and the livelihood of the people is of the utmost importance for the Pakistani government, Khan said, adding that Pakistan is facing a serious third wave of COVID-19 and the newly-arrived vaccine doses will help the country to build immunity amongst its society to save lives.