RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government will make the Mother and Child Hospital at Asghar Mall functional with 400 beds by June 2027.

In this regard, the divisional administration has been directed to speed up the development work.

This was stated by Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak in a meeting held to review the progress of work on the hospital. The meeting was held after the recent visit of Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique to the Children’s Hospital.

The commissioner said practical measures were being taken to provide the public with best possible healthcare services. “Rawalpindi Children’s Hospital will be completed and made fully operational by the next financial year,” he said.

He said that all necessary procedures should be completed through the relevant forums to ensure the timely release of funds for the project. He said that the state-of-the-art hospital will be equipped with modern facilities and will include emergency, outpatient, inpatient services as well as specialised units for neonatal intensive care (NICU) and paediatric intensive care (PICU).

Punjab govt directs divisional administration to speed up work on project

Mr Khattak expressed hope that the hospital will also serve as a modern centre for diagnosis and treatment, staffed by qualified specialists and trained healthcare professionals. “The facility is expected to contribute significantly to reducing neonatal and child mortality rates while promoting advanced medical research and professional training,” he said.

During a briefing on the ongoing development work, participants were informed that the hospital’s capacity is being increased from 200 beds to 400 beds. Construction work commenced on April 29, 2026, and Rs227 million was released by the Punjab government. The completion deadline has been set for June 30, 2027.

To expedite completion, the project has been divided into two groups, allowing parallel construction activities at two separate sites. The hospital building comprises a basement, ground floor and four additional floors. The project has achieved 100pc financial progress, and requests for additional funding have already been submitted.

The commissioner directed the concerned authorities to ensure the timely completion of the development work and stressed that no compromise would be made on the quality or pace of construction. He also instructed the assistant commissioner concerned to immediately address complaints regarding encroachments in the project area.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026