The Special Investment Facilitation Council is exploring opportunities to position Pakistan as a destination for international medical tourism by leveraging the country’s comparatively low treatment costs, skilled healthcare workforce and geographic location. The council is engaging industry experts to assess how Pakistan could capture a share of a rapidly expanding global market that was valued at $144.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $704.8 billion by 2033.
The global medical tourism sector is growing at more than 19% annually, according to experts consulted by the Special Investment Facilitation Council. The discussions are focused on identifying areas where Pakistan could establish a competitive position and attract international patients seeking affordable medical procedures while maintaining internationally accepted standards.
A significant portion of global medical tourism demand is concentrated in a limited number of specialties. According to the information presented to the council, cosmetic and aesthetic surgery accounts for around 25% to 30% of global demand, while dentistry represents approximately 10%. Fertility and bariatric surgery collectively account for another 10% to 15% of demand. These areas are being considered among the potential segments through which Pakistan could develop its medical tourism offering.
Dr Salman, a plastic surgeon and hair transplant specialist based in Islamabad who briefed the Special Investment Facilitation Council, highlighted aesthetic procedures as an area with potential for international patient growth. He noted that many aesthetic treatments are elective and repeatable, allowing healthcare providers to establish longer-term relationships with international patients.
According to Dr Salman, demand among male patients for procedures such as hair transplantation and body contouring has been increasing, with individuals between the ages of 25 and 45 representing the dominant customer group in this segment. The growing interest in these procedures could provide Pakistani clinics with an opportunity to develop specialized services aimed at international patients.
Turkey was cited as an example of a country that has developed a significant medical tourism industry. The country attracts more than one million medical tourists annually, with around 60% travelling specifically for hair transplantation, followed by procedures including rhinoplasty, face-lifts and body contouring. The example was discussed in the context of assessing how Pakistan could develop a more organized approach to attracting international patients.
Cost is considered one of Pakistan’s strongest potential advantages. Experts consulted by the Special Investment Facilitation Council said medical procedures in Pakistan generally cost between 60% and 90% less than comparable treatments in Western countries while meeting internationally accepted standards. This price differential could provide Pakistani healthcare providers with an opportunity to compete for patients seeking lower-cost treatment options.
Pakistan’s healthcare workforce is another resource being examined as part of the strategy. The country produces more than 25,000 medical graduates each year and has more than 52,000 specialists. Many of these professionals hold internationally recognized qualifications or have received training in countries and regions including the United Kingdom, the United States and the Gulf.
Geographic location and international connections could also support the development of medical tourism. Pakistan is located close to Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republics and Gulf countries, providing potential access to patients from nearby markets. The country’s diaspora communities in the United Kingdom and Canada could provide another channel for developing awareness and international patient networks.
Experts told the Special Investment Facilitation Council that overseas Pakistanis already contribute billions of dollars through remittances, but Pakistan has not yet developed a coordinated strategy specifically focused on capturing the economic potential of medical tourism. A structured approach could potentially complement existing foreign exchange inflows while creating new opportunities for healthcare businesses and professionals.
According to the experts, several measures would be necessary for Pakistan to establish itself as a credible medical tourism destination. These include supportive government policies, stronger international accreditation, coordinated international marketing and greater investment in healthcare infrastructure. Building confidence among overseas patients would also require healthcare facilities and service providers to demonstrate internationally recognized standards.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council’s engagement with industry experts reflects an effort to assess the practical potential of medical tourism as an investment and economic opportunity. If supported through appropriate policy measures, infrastructure development and international positioning, the sector could contribute to foreign exchange earnings, employment generation and broader economic activity.
With the global medical tourism market projected to expand substantially over the coming years, Pakistan’s combination of comparatively low treatment costs, a large healthcare workforce, specialized medical expertise and geographic connections provides several factors that could support its entry into the international market. The ongoing assessment by the Special Investment Facilitation Council will determine how these advantages could be developed into a coordinated medical tourism strategy.
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