Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) today, where he reviewed the administrative and facilitation arrangements related to the medical and financial assistance being provided to deserving patients under Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM). Representatives from PBM were also present on the occasion.
During the visit, the Minister was briefed by the Executive Director PIMS Rana Imran Sikandar regarding patient facilitation mechanisms, treatment services, and coordination between PBM and the hospital for financial assistance cases. It was informed that during 2024–2025, more than 2,100 patients at PIMS were facilitated through PBM assistance.
The Federal Minister emphasized the need to further streamline and expedite case-processing, particularly for emergency and life-saving treatment cases, and to strengthen coordination between PIMS and PBM. He directed that the permanent PBM facilitation counter at PIMS be re-activated and that PBM staff be deployed there at the earliest, upon which the Executive Director assured early implementation. He further instructed PBM and PIMS to digitize all related processes, adding that strict action would be taken in cases where patients are deprived of necessary facilitation.
Speaking to the media, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah said that over 1,000 patients have already been facilitated at PIMS under PBM during the current fiscal year, reflecting the Government’s strengthened approach toward social protection and medical support. He added that the budget of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has been increased from Rs. 10 billion to Rs. 14 billion for the current fiscal year, enabling expansion of welfare programmes and enhanced healthcare assistance for vulnerable citizens.
The Federal Minister stated that similar review visits will continue across hospitals and educational institutions nationwide, so that issues related to financial assistance and scholarships may be addressed on priority.
He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Government remains focused on strengthening social protection and public healthcare systems to ensure timely and dignified support for vulnerable communities. In the health sector, the initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Mustafa Kamal, to improve hospital facilities, expand access to treatment, and introduce systemic reforms, are aligned with the Government’s people-centric policy framework.
