Pakistan to Develop Local Vaccine for Foot-and-Mouth Disease

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to locally produce a vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease, seeking technical assistance from Turkey.

The announcement was made following a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroğlu, on November 4, 2026.

During their discussions, both officials emphasized the importance of collaboration in agriculture and livestock sectors.

Minister Hussain highlighted that the initiative aims to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in vaccine production, which is crucial for safeguarding the country’s livestock and ensuring food security.

This development is significant for Pakistan’s agricultural economy, as foot-and-mouth disease poses a serious threat to livestock health, impacting farmers’ livelihoods and the overall economy.

The local production of the vaccine is expected to reduce dependency on imports and improve response times during outbreaks.

Looking ahead, the Pakistani government plans to establish a timeline for the vaccine’s development and production, with further meetings scheduled to finalize the technical details of the collaboration with Turkey.