ISLAMABAD: One of Islamabad’s most delayed healthcare projects is finally moving forward as the federal government formally launched construction preparations for the King Salman Hospital, ending nearly nine years of uncertainty surrounding the multibillion rupee initiative.

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal visited the project site on Wednesday and announced that all administrative and technical hurdles blocking the hospital’s development had now been cleared. The project, originally initiated in 2017, had remained stalled for years despite repeated promises and public expectations.

The hospital is being funded through a grant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is expected to become one of the capital’s major healthcare facilities. Authorities said the construction process would be carried out through international competitive bidding to ensure transparency, efficiency and world class standards.

In the first phase, a 200 bed hospital will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs7 billion. Officials confirmed that the facility will later be expanded into a 600 bed medical complex equipped with eight major specialties to provide advanced treatment and emergency healthcare services.

The project is expected to bring major relief to residents of Tarlai and nearby areas, where access to quality medical facilities has remained limited for years. Health officials believe the new hospital could significantly reduce pressure on Islamabad’s already overcrowded public sector hospitals.

Speaking during the visit, Mustafa Kamal said the government was focusing on practical healthcare reforms instead of symbolic announcements. He added that 380 new hospital beds had already been added to various healthcare facilities across Islamabad during the past year, calling the King Salman Hospital a key milestone in the capital’s expanding healthcare infrastructure.