Lahore (GNP). : Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, visited Mayo Hospital, where he conducted a detailed review of the financial assistance and facilities being provided by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), an attached department of the Ministry.

Federal Minister thoroughly examined the individual financial assistance mechanism of PBM, with a particular focus on transparency and timely provision of support to deserving patients.

From 2021 to 2026, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has provided a total of Rs. 685.8 million for the treatment of 3,035 patients at Mayo Hospital. During the financial year 2024–25, Rs. 321.4 million were disbursed for 1,180 patients, while in the current financial year, Rs. 106.6 million have so far been provided for the treatment of 535 patients. Rs. 190 million were allocated last year specifically for cancer patients at Mayo Hospital.

The Federal Minister noted that he had earlier visited major hospitals around the country like PIMS, NORI, NIRM and NISHTAR hospital amongst others where directives had been issued for the establishment of PBM facilitation desks to improve access to services for deserving patients.

On the occasion, the Federal Minister directed that timely disbursement of financial assistance to deserving patients must be ensured and that the system should be made more efficient and transparent. He clarified that the financial assistance provided by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal is not Zakat, but a government-funded welfare support mechanism aimed at assisting deserving patients.

He emphasized that ensuring timely and transparent delivery of assistance to deserving patients remains a top priority of the Government of Pakistan.