ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday officially revived and expanded the Prime Minister’s Health Card programme, extending its coverage to Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. The move reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to providing free healthcare in Pakistan as a basic right for all citizens, regardless of income or social status.
Addressing the launch ceremony in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the health card initiative was a major step toward ensuring quality healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps. The event was attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, senior government officials, parliamentarians and health department representatives.
The prime minister recalled that the Prime Minister Health Card scheme was originally launched in 2016 under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and later expanded nationwide. He stressed that health is the foundation of education, employment and national progress, adding that the real responsibility of the state lies in protecting vulnerable segments of society such as the poor, widows, orphans and daily wage earners.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that while wealthy citizens can afford treatment anywhere in the world, free healthcare for the poor reflects the true spirit of governance. He directed authorities to ensure transparent implementation of the health card scheme through third-party monitoring and assured that he would personally oversee its execution through inspections and coordination with regional leadership.
Responding to calls for extending the programme to Sindh, the prime minister said he would personally discuss the matter with the chief minister of Sindh. He noted that the health card programme is already operational in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and federal territories, with billions of rupees being spent on healthcare services.
Earlier, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the revived Prime Minister Health Card would provide free, cashless medical treatment to nearly 10 million residents of ICT, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said around 70 hospitals have been empanelled under the programme, including 20 in Islamabad, while beneficiaries living in Karachi will also be able to access treatment at designated hospitals.
Kamal added that Sindh remains the only province not covered by the Prime Minister’s Health Card, but a proposal worth Rs24 billion for selected districts has already been prepared. He expressed hope that universal healthcare coverage in Pakistan would soon become a reality.
