PM launches health insurance scheme for journalists

ISLAMABAD: In a significant step towards improving healthcare access for journalists, media workers, and artists, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday launched the Health Insurance Card initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, the premier termed the insurance scheme a “revolutionary initiative” in the field of journalism.

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The Health Insurance Card initiative is set to benefit thousands of journalists, media workers, and artists across the country. Under this scheme, beneficiaries will be able to avail free healthcare facilities worth up to Rs1.5 million per year in 1200 hospitals.

“It is the first time that a health insurance scheme has been initiated for the working journalists and the artists,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif also announced to establish special fund for the journalists and media workers under which Rs 4 million compensation amount would be paid to the families of the journalists and media workers who died in line with their duties. He said this amount would be increased gradually.

He said a decision to this effect was taken after consultations with the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The prime minister said ever since he took over the charge in April 2022, he faced immense criticism from the journalists. However, he did not complaint of any such criticism as he believed in freedom of media. He said the criticism should be constructive and based on facts.

The launching ceremony also marked the unveiling of the Pakistan Code, a Digital Repository of Federal Intangibles app and website.

The Prime Minister said this will help the public easily access all types of federal laws.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif distributed health cards among the journalists and artists on the occasion.

The first health card was given to President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Afzal Butt, President PFUJ, Haji Nawaz Raza.

Besides, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Sohail Ali Khan, Principal Information Officer Mubashar Hassan and senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Law and Justice and a large number of journalists, media workers and artists were also present on the ceremony.

 

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