LAHORE — Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of several advanced healthcare institutions under the Nawaz Sharif Medical District project. These include the Institute of Surgical Orthopaedic and Medical Rehabilitation and Children’s Hospital-IV.
The approval was granted during a special meeting on Friday, chaired by the chief minister to review progress on public-private partnership (PPP) projects across Punjab. According to the approved plan, a Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Centre, an Institute of Genetic and Blood Diseases, a Centre of Excellence for Nursing and Midwifery, an Institute of Ophthalmology, and an Infectious Diseases Hospital will also be established within the medical city.
Officials informed the meeting that seven major hospitals with a combined capacity of 1,519 beds would be developed in phases under the Nawaz Sharif Medical City project, aimed at enhancing specialized healthcare services in the province.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the Punjab Public-Private Partnership Authority becoming fully operational after 19 years. She appreciated the efforts of Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil, and Punjab Public-Private Partnership Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Zeeshan Hanif in strengthening the institution.
The meeting reviewed opportunities for public-private partnerships in 110 proposed development projects across Punjab. Participants also discussed a proposal to establish student hostels under the PPP model, which would be introduced in the province for the first time.
Various infrastructure and public service projects, including roads, trucking terminals, bus stands, model bazaars, and food streets, also came under review during the session. The meeting was informed that four projects under the PPP framework had already become operational, while feasibility studies for 27 projects had been completed. Work on several additional projects was progressing at a rapid pace.
Officials further briefed the meeting on four major initiatives included in the PPP plan: an FMD production plant in the Nawaz Sharif Medical District, the Time Travel Park Lahore project, shrimp farming, and the Mines-to-Metal Chiniot project.
Addressing the participants, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the journey of development in Punjab would continue under all circumstances. She emphasized that the objective of the public-private partnership model was to encourage private-sector participation in the province’s development process.
She reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all development projects planned under the PPP framework, adding that these initiatives would contribute significantly to economic growth, public welfare, and improved service delivery across Punjab.
