Islamabad is witnessing an alarming increase in private hospitals and clinics, many of which operate with inadequate oversight or without valid licensing. This unregulated growth highlights critical gaps in the city’s healthcare regulatory framework, placing patient safety and service quality at risk.

The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has acknowledged the surge but is still working to validate and license many facilities. Despite operating since 2022, IHRA is yet to complete its digital mapping of all establishments and issue mandatory licenses. As a result, numerous unregistered clinics continue to function, often with unqualified staff and limited safety measures.

Lawmakers and health officials have repeatedly called for robust regulation, but progress remains slow. The National Assembly’s health standing committee has urged IHRA to audit private hospitals, oversee pricing, and submit a full inventory of operating facilities, especially those on government-allocated land.

Rural and peri-urban areas of Islamabad, such as Bhara Kahu, Rawat, Golra, and Tarlai, are witnessing the rapid emergence of small clinics, frequently run by practitioners lacking formal credentials. These setups often provide substandard care at high costs, with little accountability or hygiene standards.

IHRA enforcement efforts have led to the sealing of dozens of clinics in recent years. However, many reopen under new names, and pending legislation leaves fee regulation and licensing enforcement inconsistent and ineffective.

Experts warn that only a comprehensive regulatory overhaul, including licensing enforcement, mandatory inspections, and standardized pricing, can reverse this trend. Without timely reforms, Islamabad’s healthcare infrastructure risks being undermined by a fragmented, underqualified private sector, uprooting patient trust and public health reliability.