Pakistan, KSA review progress on King Salman Hospital project

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations, Mustafa Kamal, met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, at the Saudi Embassy, where both sides reviewed progress on the Saudi-funded King Salman Hospital project and discussed further strengthening bilateral ties in the health sector.

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the meeting, which was held here on Monday, focused on the development of the King Salman Hospital, a key healthcare initiative supported by Saudi Arabia.

Projects are funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), reinforcing the partnership between the two nations. The hospital aims to improve healthcare delivery, providing modern medical facilities to both urban and rural communities, particularly in the KP province and the federal capital area.

The Saudi Arabian government is currently working on two different Saudi-funded King Salman Hospital projects, one a 200-bed hospital in the Tarlai area of the federal capital Islamabad, with an approved Saudi funding of USD 20 million, which is designed to serve over 3 million people, with capacity designed to increase by 300 additional beds in the future.

In early 2025, the KSA has also approved a grant of USD 40 million for another hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the Hazara division district of Mansehra.

During the meeting, discussions were held on further enhancing the longstanding mutual relations and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Kamal expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in Pakistan’s health sector, stating that the hospital project stands as a strong symbol of enduring ties between the two nations.

He said the project reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the welfare of the Pakistani people and added that its timely completion remains a top priority for the government. The minister noted that he is personally monitoring the progress to ensure the project meets high standards and deadlines. The health minister further stated that the prime minister is regularly reviewing the development of the project, underscoring its national importance.

Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Pakistan’s development and conveyed best wishes from the Saudi leadership, reiterating continued support for the country’s prosperity and progress.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026