Karachi Hosts Groundbreaking Medical Tourism Conference

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Salman Javed, Convenor,  Standing Committee Tourism (FPCCI) and strategic partner Al Baraka Bank Pakistan, successfully held the “Tea for Tourism – Medical Tourism Conference” at the ICCD Headquarters in Karachi. Themed “Serving Global Patients with Paramount Quality Services,” this full-day event brought together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and tourism experts to discuss Pakistan's potential as a regional hub for sustainable and patient-centric medical tourism.

The conference kicked off with an inspiring Opening Session, featuring keynotes from national and provincial leaders, banking heads, and tourism visionaries, who underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration to unlock the potential of this rapidly growing global industry.

In his welcome address, Mr. Khawaja Ashraf Hussain, Director of Events Management at ICCD, said the Medical Tourism Conference was a result of ICCD’s Mega Forum on Sustainable Tourism, attended by many international delegations. He emphasized ICCD’s focus on three priority sectors: Agriculture, Tourism, and Digital Economy, and the intention to establish the “Tea for Tourism” series as a global think tank promoting sustainable tourism among OIC member countries.  

On this occasion, Nadeem Raza, Executive Member of the Standing Committee on Tourism Economy (FPCCI) and Founder and Promoter of "Dekho Pakistan Khoobsurat Pakistan," was also congratulated for beautifying this wonderful event.  

H.E. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, delivered the keynote address, stressing that Pakistani doctors are world-class experts. He pointed out that medical tourism could generate significant foreign exchange for the country, drawing parallels with successful models from Turkiye, India, Iran, and China.

H.E. Muhammad Atif Hanif, President & CEO of Al Baraka Bank Pakistan, also spoke passionately about ICCD’s commitment to enhancing socio-economic development across the Islamic world. He noted that the bank is prepared to finance innovative healthcare ventures that focus on ethical, halal, and accessible medical tourism.

Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Saima Agha emphasized Pakistan's goal of becoming a leading hub for high-quality and compassionate healthcare services. She highlighted the country's robust infrastructure and government initiatives, including online visas for 191 countries, which position Pakistan favorably in the medical tourism sector.

The Guest of Honor, H.E. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat, Managing Director of Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd., stressed the need for a comprehensive policy framework to boost Pakistan’s medical tourism growth and enhance its international standing. He detailed the factors driving the global medical tourism market, including soaring healthcare costs in developed nations and increasing demand for specialized treatments.

Mr. Zubair Tufail, Former President of FPCCI, provided insights into the immense potential of medical tourism in Pakistan, underscoring the urgent need for stronger policy support to unlock the sector. He noted the ICCD's prior conferences on this subject held in Turkiye, Iran, and elsewhere.

An expert panel discussion on “Sustainable Practices & Opportunities in Medical Tourism” explored the socio-economic and technological dynamics shaping the industry. Panelists highlighted the importance of digitization, branding, affordability, trust, and cross-border alliances. Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO of AKU Health Services, stated, “Quality and empathy must be the core of Pakistan’s medical branding,” while Dr. Habib-Ur-Rahman, Chairman of Shifa International, remarked that “telemedicine and robotic surgery will redefine patient outreach.” Other panelists echoed the need for a unified licensing model and emphasized local pharmaceutical expertise as key assets.

The conference concluded with a set of key recommendations, including the establishment of a Medical Tourism Council through public-private partnerships, the introduction of international accreditation for healthcare facilities targeting foreign patients, and the promotion of wellness tourism zones focusing on rehabilitation and organic therapy.

As Pakistan seeks to position itself as a major player in the medical tourism sector, this conference marks a significant step towards realizing that goal.