ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday approved $1.1 billion to procure COVID-19 shots as it seeks to vaccinate at least a fifth of its 220 million population by the end of the year.

The South Asian nation has administered 10 million vaccine doses since it started the immunization campaign in February, initially relying on Sinopharm shots donated by China.

The vaccination target set by the government is minimum 45 million and maximum 65 million people, according to a statement by the Economic Coordination Committee — the government's top economic decision-making body.

"ECC expressed the government’s commitment to provide $1.1 bn for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine for achieving the vaccination target till December 2021," ECC said.

The National Disaster Management Authority, responsible for vaccine procurement, has so far bought 14.06 million vaccine doses — 6.72 million doses of Sinopharm, 5 million doses of Sinovac, 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca, one million of CanSino and 0.1 million doses of Pfizer.

With the increased target and immunization picking up pace, the government also announced on Wednesday all public and private sector employees must be fully vaccinated by June 30.

"All vaccination centres will remain open from 8 AM to 10 PM daily from 11 June 2021 (less Suday)," the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) which leads coronavirus response said.

From June 11, walk-in vaccination will be open for all citizens aged 18 and above.

As the country’s coronavirus positivity has dropped to 2.54 percent in the past 24 hours — a second day that it is below 3 percent — the NCOC also announced further easing of health restrictions form June 15.

The existing 50 percent work from home policy will be relaxed to 100 percent office attendance.  

The closure of markets for two days will be relaxed to one day. 

The existing ban on inter-provincial transport on Saturdays and Sundays will be lifted, and 50 percent occupancy for public transport will be increased to 70 percent.  

Indoor gyms will be open for vaccinated members.

Shrines and cinemas will remain closed till further notice.