The federal government has halted funding for health insurance services in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal, announced in the National Assembly. As a result, State Life Insurance Company has stopped providing health insurance coverage in these two regions.
Jam Kamal explained that while health insurance programs continue to serve millions of families in other provinces, the suspension has left Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan without this critical support. Currently, around 33 million families in Punjab, 24 million in Balochistan, and 10 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receive health insurance through government-supported schemes.
The decision has raised concerns about healthcare access and financial protection against medical expenses for residents of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, who will now face increased challenges in managing health costs without insurance coverage.
Officials have not yet provided detailed reasons for the funding withdrawal, but the government is expected to address questions regarding the future of health services in these regions. Meanwhile, healthcare advocates urge swift action to restore or replace the suspended insurance services to protect vulnerable populations.