QUETTA: The provincial finance department has released Rs2.25 billion for the Balochistan Health Card Programme, aimed at providing free medical treatment to poor and deserving patients at leading hospitals across all four provinces.
The Balochistan Health Card Programme, launched by the provincial government last year to ensure free healthcare for underprivileged families, had recently faced a serious setback after outstanding dues of Rs5bn accumulated with State Life Insurance. As a result, private hospitals in Karachi suspended treatment of Balochistan Health Card patients under the programme.
Following the publication in newspapers of the report, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the non-release of funds and issued immediate directives for the release of the required amount. In compliance with the chief minister’s orders, the finance department has now released Rs2.25bn for the programme.
However, officials said that despite the latest release, the Balochistan Health Card Programme still carries outstanding liabilities of Rs2.75bn payable to State Life Insurance.
Scheme faced disruption after Rs5 billion dues accumulated with insurance company
Sources in the provincial health department expressed hope that, under the directives of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the finance department would soon release the remaining funds to ensure there is no disruption in medical treatment for poor patients.
They said the timely release of funds is essential to restore and sustain uninterrupted healthcare services under the Balochistan Health Card Programme.
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026
