PM launches health insurance scheme for Azad Kashmir.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the health card facility for 1.2 million families in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

'By launching this facility we want people on the other side of Kashmir to know how we treat our people,' the prime minister said while addressing a ceremony held to launch the Sehat Sahulat Programme's Universal Health Coverage for Azad Kashmir.

'By introducing health insurance in AJK, I want to send a message to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who are facing severe hardships at the hands of fascist Indian regime, how Pakistan treats its people in Azad Kashmir,' he added.

PM Khan said the present government was striving to make the country a true Islamic welfare state in line with the vision of Riasat-i-Madina and as per the Objective Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in 1949.

'Instead of claims of making the country an Asian tiger or turning Lahore into Paris, we are striving to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state as per the Objective Resolution,' he added.

Mr Khan said that 1.2 million people in AJK would benefit from the health insurance and would be entitled to avail free treatment from 350 government and private hospitals across Pakistan.

He said this insurance scheme was first launched by the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that six million people in Punjab were being provided with the health insurance facility, and the provincial government was striving to extend it to the entire province by the end of 2021.

The prime minister said the vision of a welfare state, which was introduced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was aimed at looking after the poor and providing basic facilities to all.

He also referred to the welfare model of Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, Sweden and Norway, whose governments were bound to provide all basic facilities to their citizens.

'It is my faith that when you take care of the people, especially the poor, Allah Almighty increases your resources,' he said. This is why welfare states are richer...