Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken action by forming a high-level committee tasked with evaluating the future of the programme. The committee has been directed to submit its report within one week.

According to official sources, the committee includes key government figures: Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Mustafa Kamal, along with the Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Planning, the head of the Sehat Card programme Muhammad Arshad, and the CEO of State Life Insurance.

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Their primary responsibility is to assess the financial feasibility of the programme—specifically, whether its funding should come from the recurring (current) budget or be allocated under the development budget.

It’s important to note that under the federal government s universal health coverage initiative, millions of families across Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Tharparkar District are already benefiting from free or subsidised medical care through the Sehat Sahulat Card.

However, residents of Islamabad have been without access to this healthcare service for several months, causing widespread frustration and concern among the public. Many are anxiously awaiting the committee s report, which could lead to a final decision on making the programme permanent and accessible on a sustainable basis.

The aim of the government is to make healthcare accessible and affordable to millions across Pakistan. By stabilizing and institutionalizing the Sehat Sahulat Card, moreover, the government’s goal is to make sure that the citizens of Pakistan benefit from quality healthcare regardless of their income or location.