Global Fund demands diplomatic status

ISLAMABAD: The Global Fund has sought diplomatic status in exchange for revoking the Additional Safeguard Policy (ASP) as the move would allow Pakistan to utilize $281.5m grant for fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“We have written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to grant privileges and immunities or diplomatic status to the Global Fund after they sought this status in exchange for revoking the Additional Safeguard Policy (ASP). Cancellation of the policy would allow us to utilize Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM),” caretaker federal health minister Dr Nadeem Jan told The News.

Global Fund has approved $281.5 million grant for HIV, TB and Malaria and $5 million as catalytic funding for the period of 2024-2026, the federal health ministry announced separately on Thursday. Principal recipient of the Global Fund’s grant for HIV and AIDS is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 2020 when the donor organization invoked the Additional Safeguard Policy citing “unsatisfactory performance” of public sector institutions.