Govt Eyes New Taxes to Bankroll Rs212bn Hospital Project

The government is considering new levies in Islamabad to raise funds for the Rs212 billion Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre. Reports suggest that junk food, cigarettes, and other lifestyle-linked products could face additional taxation.

Officials argue that these levies will help sustain the project, which will be developed in two phases under an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model. The first phase, costing Rs75 billion, will cover the hospital’s construction, while the second will establish a medical college.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has already earmarked more than 600 kanals for the site. A joint Turkish-Pakistani consultancy is working on finalising the designs, with boundary wall tenders launching this week.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier vowed that the hospital would deliver 100% free treatment for eligible patients. He claimed it would become one of the region’s premier healthcare institutions.

While the proposal highlights the government’s push for healthcare investment, critics may see the new taxes as burdensome for residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.