Faisalabad : Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, said the government is taking historic steps in the health sector to serve suffering humanity.
Speaking to the media during his visit to Allied Hospital-I, Faisalabad, the minister said the hospital is Punjab’s third-largest healthcare facility, catering daily to thousands of patients from Faisalabad and surrounding districts. He noted that 45 operation theatres are currently functional, reflecting the hospital’s capacity to provide large-scale treatment and surgeries with modern facilities.
Expressing satisfaction, the minister said the Punjab government is serious about healthcare reforms, and positive results are now visible. He stated that over the past three years, more than Rs 100 million in grants have been provided to Allied Hospital, enabling treatment for 482 deserving patients.
He further shared that during FY 2023–24, 131 patients received assistance through Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, a number that has now increased to nearly 200, reflecting growing public trust and improved facilities. In 2025-2026 alone, 228 patients were treated at a cost of Rs 45 million.
The minister said that from 2008 to 2025, around 5,000 patients have been treated at Allied Hospital through Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, including patients suffering from cancer, major surgeries, cardiac diseases, and other complex illnesses. These figures, he said, demonstrate that the Ministry for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, in collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, is providing real support to vulnerable segments of society.
Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, the minister said the government has increased the overall medical budget of PBM from Rs 2.25 billion to Rs 3 billion to expand access to quality healthcare. Assistance for heart surgeries and transplants has also been enhanced from Rs 1 million to Rs 1.5 million, providing significant relief to patients unable to afford costly treatments.
He emphasized that transparency and merit are being strictly ensured while serving the needy in line with the Prime Minister’s vision. While health and education fall under provincial jurisdiction, he said the federal government continues to support provinces through resources and facilitation.
The minister also highlighted other public relief measures, stating that the federal government has lifted the ban on new gas connections to ensure access to basic utilities. He added that steps have been taken to reduce gas and electricity load-shedding, providing relief to industrial and domestic consumers. The federal government, he said, is carrying out development projects across all provinces to improve living standards and strengthen socio-economic growth.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
