Rs 40 Billion Approved to Restore Health Insurance for Islamabad, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan Residents

A major healthcare initiative is set to restart. The National Steering Committee has approved a Rs 40 billion funding package to restore the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP). Free hospitalisation services will resume for residents of Islamabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan from January 16, 2026.
The decision ends a difficult period for over 10 million people. Their health card coverage was suspended in March 2024 due to unpaid government dues. Meanwhile, residents of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to access similar health schemes.

Funding and Contract Details

The revised PC-I, valid until June 30, 2027, was approved by the committee chaired by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal. To ensure an uninterrupted relaunch, existing contracts with State Life Insurance Corporation and NADRA will be extended. All outstanding payments to hospitals will be cleared as per the Prime Minister’s directives.
This funding reinstates the federal Universal Health Coverage model for the specified regions. The Prime Minister will formally inaugurate the restored programme on the launch date.

A Strategic Shift in Healthcare Policy

Minister Kamal emphasized that this move is part of a broader policy shift. He stated the government is adopting modern health insurance and strategic purchasing models. This approach, rather than directly managing hospitals, aims to ensure quality, efficient, and dignified healthcare for citizens.
The SSP’s restoration marks a significant step in re-establishing a health safety net. It fulfills the commitment to provide welfare-based medical support to families in the federal capital and surrounding regions.