PM Shehbaz Relaunches Sehat Card Health Insurance Scheme in ICT, AJK and GB

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally relaunched the Sehat Card health insurance scheme for residents of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), marking a renewed push to strengthen Pakistan’s social safety net and expand access to quality healthcare. The revival of the flagship initiative underscores the government’s commitment to universal health coverage and relief for low- and middle-income households facing rising medical costs.

The Sehat Card scheme, designed to provide cashless medical treatment to eligible families, allows beneficiaries to seek care at public and private hospitals empaneled under the program. With the relaunch, families in ICT, AJK, and GB will once again be able to access inpatient treatment for a wide range of illnesses without the burden of out-of-pocket expenses that often push households into debt.

Speaking at the relaunch ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that healthcare is a basic right, not a privilege. He noted that the government’s priority is to ensure dignity and security for citizens, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society. According to the prime minister, the Sehat Card scheme is a practical step toward reducing inequality in healthcare access and improving health outcomes across regions that face geographic and economic challenges.

Under the renewed program, each eligible family will be entitled to a defined annual health coverage limit that can be used for hospitalization, surgeries, and specialized treatments. The scheme covers major medical procedures, including cardiac care, oncology treatments, maternity services, and emergency interventions. Beneficiaries can present their national identity cards at participating hospitals to receive treatment without paying upfront fees.

Officials said that the relaunch incorporates administrative improvements to ensure smoother implementation and timely payments to hospitals. Digital verification processes have been strengthened to reduce delays and prevent misuse, while coordination with provincial and regional health authorities has been enhanced to monitor service quality. The government has also pledged to expand the network of empaneled hospitals to ensure that residents in remote areas of GB and AJK can benefit without traveling long distances.

The Sehat Card initiative has previously been lauded for easing the financial burden of healthcare on millions of families. However, interruptions and funding constraints in recent periods limited its reach in certain regions. The relaunch aims to restore public confidence and ensure continuity by allocating dedicated resources and setting clear implementation timelines.

In Islamabad Capital Territory, the scheme is expected to benefit a diverse population that includes low-income workers, daily wage earners, and informal sector employees who often lack employer-provided health coverage. Access to private hospitals through the Sehat Card is likely to reduce pressure on public healthcare facilities while giving patients greater choice in seeking timely treatment.

For AJK and GB, the revival carries particular significance. These regions face unique healthcare challenges due to mountainous terrain, scattered populations, and limited specialized medical facilities. By enabling residents to access approved hospitals within and outside their regions, the scheme can bridge gaps in care and reduce the need for families to rely on personal savings or community support during medical emergencies.

Health experts have welcomed the move, noting that financial protection is a critical pillar of effective healthcare systems. They argue that insurance-based models like the Sehat Card help prevent catastrophic health expenditures, which are a leading cause of poverty. By covering major treatments, the scheme allows families to focus on recovery rather than financial survival.

The government has also highlighted the economic benefits of the program. By partnering with private hospitals and ensuring timely reimbursements, the Sehat Card can stimulate investment in the health sector, create jobs, and encourage improvements in service quality. Hospitals, in turn, are incentivized to expand capacity and adopt better standards to meet program requirements.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have called for transparency and sustained funding to ensure the program’s success. They stress the importance of clear eligibility criteria, efficient grievance redressal mechanisms, and regular audits to prevent abuse. In response, officials have assured that independent monitoring systems will be put in place and that beneficiaries will have access to helplines and complaint portals.

The relaunch also aligns with Pakistan’s broader commitments to social protection and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the target of achieving universal health coverage. By prioritizing preventive and curative care through financial protection, the government aims to improve long-term public health indicators and reduce disparities between urban and rural populations.

As the Sehat Card scheme resumes in ICT, AJK, and GB, public awareness campaigns are being planned to inform citizens about eligibility, coverage limits, and hospital networks. Authorities have urged residents to verify their eligibility and keep their identification documents updated to avoid inconvenience.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s relaunch of the Sehat Card health insurance scheme represents a significant step toward inclusive healthcare in Pakistan. By restoring access to cashless treatment for millions in ICT, AJK, and GB, the government has signaled its intent to place people’s welfare at the center of policy. The true measure of success will depend on sustained implementation, transparency, and the ability to adapt the program to the evolving healthcare needs of the population.