By Abdul Ghani

The systematic (advanced schematic) design of the King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Hospital in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is expected to be finalised by mid-April 2026, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The hospital, planned for the Tarlai area, is a significant healthcare initiative being implemented by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) with financial support of $20 million. The project aims to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure in the federal capital and surrounding areas.

However, progress has remained slow since the award of consultancy services in August 2025. The consultant was initially tasked with completing the master design within four months, but the deadline was missed, leading to several extensions. Despite these concessions, the final design has yet to be completed.

April 15, 2026, has now been set as the deadline for the submission of the advanced schematic design. This phase will include more detailed planning elements and more accurate cost estimations, moving beyond the preliminary design stage. Authorities consider this a critical step toward initiating subsequent phases of the project.

The delay in finalising the design has also impacted overall progress. Financial utilisation remains at 0%, while physical progress is estimated at only 10%, reflecting limited on-ground activity. The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) has held multiple review meetings to assess the situation and accelerate the process.

The document indicates that the scope of the project is likely to expand significantly. The hospital’s capacity is expected to increase to around 600 beds, compared to the initial plans, which may push the overall project cost to between $45 million and $50 million. This expansion aims to accommodate the growing healthcare needs of the ICT population.

Despite the delays, the concept design submitted earlier has already been approved by both the CDA and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, allowing the consultant to proceed with detailed design work.

According to the document, the complete design package, including engineering drawings and tender documents, is expected to be finalised by mid-May 2026.

The King Salman Hospital project is considered a vital addition to Islamabad’s healthcare system, and the timely completion of the design phase would ensure the project moves forward without further setbacks.

Credit: INP-WealthPk