In a significant move to bolster public healthcare, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially revived and expanded the Prime Minister's Health Card programme on Friday. The initiative now extends its coverage to the residents of Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan.
A Commitment to Universal Healthcare
Addressing a launch ceremony attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, parliamentarians, and senior officials, PM Sharif reaffirmed his government's commitment to treating quality healthcare as a fundamental right for every citizen. He emphasized that this right must be accessible regardless of an individual's social or economic standing.
The Prime Minister stated that the true test of a state lies in its ability to protect its most vulnerable citizens—the poor, widows, orphans, and daily wage earners. He contrasted this with the affluent, who can afford treatment anywhere in the world. "Healthcare is the right of every Pakistani, whether prime minister or street vendor," he declared.
Historical Context and Nationwide Vision
PM Shehbaz Sharif recalled that the health card scheme was originally introduced in 2016 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and was later expanded across provinces. He described the current revival as a major step toward delivering essential healthcare facilities directly to people's doorsteps.
While celebrating the programme's rapid progress in Punjab, the Prime Minister acknowledged a gap in Sindh. Responding to demands for its extension there, he validated the proposal and assured attendees that he would personally take up the matter with the Chief Minister of Sindh. He expressed hope that similar health facilities would eventually be made available uniformly across the entire nation.
Operational Details and Implementation
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal provided concrete details about the programme's rollout. He announced that the revived Health Card would offer free, cashless healthcare to nearly one crore (10 million) residents of the newly included territories.
To facilitate this, around 70 hospitals in Islamabad, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan are being empanelled under the scheme. This includes 20 additional hospitals in Islamabad alone. Furthermore, cardholders from these regions who reside in Karachi will be able to access treatment at 16 designated hospitals in the city.
Minister Kamal stressed that the programme's success hinges on transparent implementation. PM Shehbaz Sharif urged the health ministry team to ensure rigorous third-party monitoring, guaranteeing that treatment is provided at appropriate facilities meeting the right standards. The Prime Minister vowed to personally monitor the programme's progress through visits and inspections in collaboration with local health leadership.
In his concluding remarks, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that the honest execution of this initiative would not only serve the people but also be a source of divine reward. He ended with a prayer for the success of the programme and the prosperity of Pakistan.
