ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday said the government has prepared a comprehensive strategy with Rs2.85 billion financial assistance from the World Bank to fight HIV/AIDS in the country, said and official statement.

He was talking to a delegation led by special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.

Dr Sadik briefed the prime minister on the current situation of HIV/AIDS in the region and the efforts of the UN to fight the deadly disease in Pakistan.

She appreciated the progress made since her last visit and commended the government efforts for launching a multi-sectoral response for combating HIV/AIDS.

She also stressed the importance of involvement of all segments of society, especially religious leaders, for creating awareness of the disease.

Mr Jamali instructed the health ministry to submit a summary to the cabinet and added that necessary steps would be taken for formulating a national policy on HIV/AIDS.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan was also present.

The meeting was also attended by director country and regional support team UNAIDS headquarters, Geneva, Michelle Sidbie; Director-General Health Maj-Gen Mohammad Aslam Khan (retired), UNFPA country representative Olivier Braseur and National Manager National AIDS Control Programme Dr Asma Bokhari.

A four-member delegation, led by Dr Sadiq, later discussed issues with the health minister.

Mr Nasir informed the delegation that Pakistan was focusing on eradication of various diseases, including polio, malaria and HIV/AIDS.

He said an inter-ministerial action would be activated for evolving modalities and mechanism for strengthening the national programme on HIV/AIDS.

The minister assured the UN delegation that religious scholars would also be convinced to support the government in this regard.

He also assured the delegation that a national strategy for implementation programme in transparent manner would be adopted and a well-organized monitoring and supervising system would be evolved for launching the programme.