The federal government has relocated the upcoming Pak-China Pharmaceutical Conference from Karachi to Islamabad, a move aimed at drawing major Chinese investment into Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.
The Ministry of National Health Services said the conference, originally planned for July 17 in Karachi, will now be held in Islamabad instead. Officials expect the event to bring together roughly 130 Chinese companies and close to 150 Pakistani pharmaceutical and investment firms.
The ministry described the event as Pakistan’s first large scale business to business pharmaceutical forum with Chinese companies.
Organizers expect the conference to generate around $1 billion in immediate investment across medical devices, vaccines, pharmaceutical raw materials, and surgical products. Officials say total investment could climb to $5 billion over the next several years.
Several agreements are expected to move forward during the event. These include technology transfer for medical devices, joint production facilities, cooperation on clinical trials and research, local manufacturing of pharmaceutical machinery, and broader partnerships across the pharmaceutical industry.
Chinese companies specializing in traditional and herbal medicine are also expected to sign cooperation deals with Pakistani institutions to support collaboration in alternative medicine.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the government remains committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with China to support the domestic pharmaceutical industry, bring in modern medical technology, and improve public access to quality healthcare.
The ministry confirmed all arrangements for the Islamabad event are complete. Kamal is expected to hold a press conference the day before the conference to outline its goals and expected outcomes.
