May 10, 2006

Pakistan seeks financial assistance to tide over bird flu crisis

Pakistan is seeking a US$25 million grant in the form of technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to support the country's troubled poultry industry and fight bird flu.

Government officials are currently holding negotiations with bank officials as calls demanding compensation from the local poultry industry become stronger.  

Pakistan has incurred about Rs 10 billion (US$166 million) in losses in the past three months alone due to bird flu, according to local newspaper sources. 

Poultry sales plummeted after bird flu outbreaks were confirmed in several poultry farms in February this year, despite the Health Ministry's assurance that both poultry meat and eggs were safe.