Pakistan Can Hugely Benefit From Medical Tourism from OIC Countries

Karachi: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Islamic
Chamber of Commerce & Development collectively organized a high-profile Medical Tourism
Conference in Karachi – attended by top medical professionals, tourism industry CEOs,
government officials and parliamentarians.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, in his keynote emphasized that Pakistani doctors are
world-class and we can earn substantial foreign exchange for the country through medical
tourism like Turkiye, India, Iran and China. He explained that globally tourism industry
contributes 10 percent to the World GDP; accounts for 330 million jobs and 28.3% of global
services exports. Since the 1970s, tourism has been used as a tool for community development
with emphasis on economic development and lessening poverty; as a result, many developing
countries have promoted and supported tourism projects in their national development plans.

SVP FPCCI elaborated that medical tourism has also emerged as a major industry globally;
valued at $144.5 billion in 2024; and, it is projected to reach US$ 700 billion by the year 2033.
Key players such as Thailand, Iran, India, Türkiye, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia have
established themselves as medical tourism hubs; leveraging competitive pricing, advanced
healthcare facilities and government support.

Lt. Gen. Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat (Retd), MD Green Tourism Pvt Ltd, maintained that the
global medical tourism market is driven by rising healthcare costs in developed countries; long
wait times and the demand for specialized treatments. Many countries have successfully attracted
international patients by offering advanced medical technologies; high-quality care and a blend
of medical and leisure tourism.
Mr. Zubair Tufail, former President FPCCI, highlighted that medical tourism has huge potential
in Pakistan; and, from the platform of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD)
several conferences in Turkiye, Iran and other countries have been organized on the subject. This
conference is first ever conference from private sector in Pakistan; and, is live streaming in all
OIC countries.

Mr. Zubair Tufail, former President FPCCI, highlighted that medical tourism has huge potential
in Pakistan; and, from the platform of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD)
several conferences in Turkiye, Iran and other countries have been organized on the subject. This
conference is first ever conference from private sector in Pakistan; and, is live streaming in all
OIC countries.

The conference was also addressed by Mr. Atif Hanif, President & CEO, AlBaraka Bank
Pakistan; Ms. Saima Agha, Parliamentary Secretary, Sindh; Lt. Gen. Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat
(Retd), MD Green Tourism Pvt Ltd; Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO AKUH; Dr. Habib-Ur-Rahman,
Chairman of Shifa International Hospitals and other prominent healthcare industry leaders.