Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore

Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif (right) and President of Saudi German Hospitals Sobhi Batterjee (center) pray after laying the foundation stone for a 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, on February 18, 2025. (Radio Pakistan)
Short Url
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Punjab CM lays foundation stone of 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Lahore

  • $250 million hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment along international standards
  • The Saudi-German Hospital Network is a leading health care provider in UAE, Egypt, Yemen and Morocco

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has laid the foundation stone for a 300-bed Saudi-German Hospital in Smart City, Lahore, which will cost $250 million, state television reported on Tuesday.
The Saudi-German Hospital Network, founded in 1988, is a leading private health care provider in the Middle East and North Africa region. It is operated by the Middle East Healthcare Company and spans Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco and Pakistan.
Known for advanced medical care in specialties like cardiology, neurology and oncology, the Saudi-German Hospital collaborates with top German institutions and integrates AI-driven solutions. The network continues to expand and meet growing health care demands with a reputation for cutting-edge technology and skilled professionals.
“Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has laid the foundation stone of Saudi-German Hospital in Smart City Lahore,” Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) reported. “The hospital will be a 300-bed medical facility and will be completed at a cost of $250 million.”
The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and provide international standard medical facilities, it said, adding that the project would be a “huge source of employment for the people.”
PTV quoted Sharif as saying that the government values the private sector’s commitment to bringing positive changes to the country’s health care system.
She called improving the health care system her “priority,” with the Saudi-German Hospital marking a key milestone in enhancing public health and establishing a welfare society, according to state media.
Earlier in February, the Saudi Fund for Development approved a $40 million grant to build the King Salman Hospital in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Last August, the Saudi-German Hospital signed a partnership deal with the Capital Smart City in Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia has been a key ally of Pakistan, providing financial aid, oil subsidies and investments in sectors like energy and health care. The two nations share strong religious and cultural ties, with millions of Pakistani expatriates contributing to both economies. Their partnership is further strengthened through trade, defense cooperation and diplomatic support.


India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott

Updated 05 February 2026
Follow

India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott

  • Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka 
  • India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match

MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.

“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.

“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”

India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.

The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.

Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.

India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.

“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.

If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.

“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”

India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.

Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.

“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.