Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presents a symbolic health card to a woman. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday revived and expanded the Prime Minister’s Health Card scheme to Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare as a fundamental right of every citizen, irrespective of their social or economic status.
Addressing the launching ceremony, the Prime Minister said the initiative marked another major step towards providing health facilities at people’s doorsteps.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recalled that the health card system was first introduced in 2016 under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and then quickly expanded to all provinces.
He said there was nothing more valuable in life than health. “If there is health, there is education; if there is health, there is dignified employment; if there is health, there is progress in all areas of life,” he noted.
The prime minister said the wealthy sections of society could afford expensive treatments anywhere in the world, but the real test of the state lay in protecting the poor, widows, orphans and daily wage earners who were struggling to make ends meet.
“If a worker falls ill and leaves this world without treatment, his children are left in permanent darkness. Healthcare is the right of every Pakistani, whether he is a Prime Minister or a street vendor,” he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, the State Secretary for Health and their entire team on this launch, urging them to ensure transparent implementation through third-party monitoring so that treatment is provided in the appropriate facilities and to the appropriate standards. He expressed confidence that honest execution of the program would not only serve the people but would also be rewarded in this world and the hereafter.
Expressing hope that the program would be implemented quickly and effectively, he said the program would be personally monitored through visits and inspections in collaboration with Islamabad health leaders, parliamentarians, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and Prime Minister of AJK.
Responding to a request to extend the scheme to Sindh, he said the proposal was valid and assured that he would personally take up the issue with the Sindh Chief Minister. He noted that the program was already progressing rapidly in Punjab, with billions of rupees spent on healthcare, and commended the Punjab government for its efforts. He added that while other provinces had their own health initiatives, efforts would be made to ensure that similar facilities were made available across the country.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s Health Card scheme would gain momentum across the country, bringing relief to millions of families. “May Allah help us to serve the people,” he said, ending with prayers for the success of the initiative and the prosperity of Pakistan.
Prime Minister reaffirms determination to crush terrorism
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s strong resolve to defeat terrorism through a unified national effort, stressing that peace, stability and prosperity remained the country’s main objectives.
Chairing a meeting of the Qaumi Paigham-e-Aman Committee (QPAC), the Prime Minister said the committee would play a pivotal role in strengthening the national narrative against extremism and terrorism, similar to the historical role played by the ulama in the creation of Pakistan.
He recalled that Pakistan was established to implement the principles of peace, justice and tolerance, adding that the country was now gradually moving towards prosperity and stability.
The Prime Minister said that Allah Almighty had endowed Pakistan with vast natural resources worth billions of dollars, which if harnessed effectively could help overcome challenges such as poverty, unemployment and debts. “This task is difficult but not impossible,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for collective determination.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan demonstrated its strength in May 2025 during Maareka-e-Haq by decisively defeating India, saying that this happened due to the blessings of Allah Almighty and the professional capabilities of the armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir. He said Pakistan was now on a fast track to development, but terrorism remained the most serious challenge.
The Prime Minister said that more than 100,000 Pakistanis had accepted martyrdom in the war against terrorism. He said the international community should recognize Pakistan’s immense sacrifices and said the country had strong evidence of external support given to terrorist elements in Pakistan.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan would once again succeed in defeating terrorism. He also highlighted the positive role of minorities in national development and called for interfaith harmony to ensure lasting peace.
