PESHAWAR: Following the successful implementation of the health insurance scheme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has decided to introduce another ‘revolutionary’ step towards enhancing social protection of citizens by including a life insurance scheme in the Sehat Card Plus programme.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House, according to a statement issued here on Friday.

Officials from the Sehat Card Scheme and State Life Insurance Corporation signed the MoU.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur claimed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become the first province in the country to launch such a scheme.

“This is a matter of pride and joy for the provincial government and the people,” he said, adding the scheme was not only unique in Pakistan but also the ‘first of its kind’ globally.

Mr Gandapur mentioned that his government was taking ‘practical’ steps toward establishing a ‘welfare state’ in line with the vision of the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Imran Khan.

“The scheme will provide compensation of Rs1 million to the family if its head (under the age of 60) passes away, and Rs500,000 if the head of the household (aged above 60) dies,” the chief minister said and added more than 10.4 million families would benefit from this scheme, which will cost the provincial government Rs4.5 billion annually.

Mr Gandapur emphasised that after Sehat Card Plus, the life insurance scheme was the second largest social protection programme of the provincial government.

He remarked that the government was committed to ensuring the social protection of the vulnerable and deserving segments of the society.

The chief minister further said that supporting vulnerable segments of society was a core part of the founding chairman’s vision and the responsibility of the state, adding that the provincial government was implementing several programmes in this regard.

“The life insurance scheme is another significant step that will provide relief to affected families in the event of the passing of their breadwinner,” he remarked.

Mr Gandapur also mentioned that under the Sehat Card Scheme, 100 per cent of the province’s population was being provided free and quality healthcare services.

Provincial cabinet members Meena Khan Afridi, Muzammil Aslam and Ehtesham Ali, as well as officials from the health department, Sehat Card Scheme, and State Life Insurance Corporation attended the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2025