The hospitals in Pakistan that foreigners use are mostly the large private hospitals in the main cities, where at least some staff speak English. The UK government's list of English-speaking medical facilities names, among others, Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Doctors Hospital in Lahore and the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. Expect to pay the hospital yourself and claim from your insurer, ring the insurer's emergency line early for anything serious, and dial 1122 for an ambulance.
Most foreign trips start and end in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi, so this guide covers what to do there: which hospitals to go to, how payment works, what to know about pharmacies and medicines, and what changes once you head north.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Ambulance and fire | 1122 |
| Police | 15 |
| Karachi charity ambulance | Edhi Foundation, 115 |
| Best option for a visitor | A large private hospital in the city |
| Payment | Usually at the hospital, by cash or card; claim back from your insurer |
| Medicines | Bring enough of your own; the UK advice says shortages are common |
| 24-hour pharmacies | Some in the cities and inside hospitals |
| Official list | UK FCDO list of English-speaking medical facilities, updated 19 August 2025 |
Which hospitals do foreign visitors use?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) keeps a list of medical providers in Pakistan where some staff speak English. It was last updated on 19 August 2025, it is not exhaustive, and the FCDO is clear that it does not endorse anyone on it. It is still the best starting point we know of. The private hospitals it names in the three main cities are:
Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Shifa International Hospital, Sector H-8/4, Pitras Bukhari Road
- Maroof International Hospital, F-10 Markaz
- Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Sector H-13, GT Road
Lahore
- Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Johar Town
- Aadil Hospital, Khayaban-e-Jinnah, DHA
Karachi
- The Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road. Its own site lists Joint Commission International accreditation and an international patients service.
- South City Hospital, Clifton
The list also includes large government hospitals, such as the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi. Government hospitals are much cheaper, but they are usually crowded and slower for a visitor to navigate. For anything short of a life-threatening emergency, a private hospital is the easier choice.
What should you do in an emergency?
Call 1122 for an ambulance, the number the UK advice gives. Our Rescue 1122 guide explains how the service works in each province and how to give your location. In Karachi the Edhi Foundation, a long-established charity, runs a large ambulance service on 115. For the police, call 15.
The UK advice notes that ambulance response times vary. In a city, if the person can be moved safely and you have a car and driver, going straight to the nearest private hospital's emergency department can be quicker than waiting.
Take with you:
- your passport, or a copy of it
- your insurance policy number and the insurer's 24-hour emergency phone number
- a list of any medicines and conditions, in English
- your phone and a charger
If you are on a tour, call your guide or operator straight away. They can talk to the hospital in Urdu, deal with the front desk and phone your insurer while you are being seen.
How does paying work, and how do you claim it back?
The FCDO puts it simply: private medical care is expensive but available in all major cities. Hospitals expect to be paid, and as a visitor you should assume you will pay at the counter and claim the money back later.
The Aga Khan University Hospital, for example, says it takes cash, credit and debit cards at its clinic counters and billing office, and gives patients an estimated cost before a planned admission. Its international patients team helps with billing and insurance coordination. We could not find published fees for consultations or admissions at the hospitals above, so ask the front desk for an estimate before treatment starts.
To keep a claim straightforward:
- Ring your insurer's emergency line as soon as you can, ideally before admission. For a large bill, insurers can sometimes arrange payment directly with the hospital. The UK advice says to contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility.
- Carry a card with a decent limit and some cash. A deposit or an up-front payment is easier on a card than in notes.
- Ask for itemised bills, receipts and a medical report in English before you leave. Getting them later from abroad is much harder.
- Keep prescriptions and pharmacy receipts with the hospital papers.
Check now, not after you fall ill, that your policy covers medical treatment and evacuation in Pakistan, and that your route does not take you into areas your government advises against, which can void the cover. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for in the wording.
Pharmacies and medicines: what should you bring?
The single most useful thing you can do is bring enough of your own medicines for the whole trip, plus a spare week. The UK advice says there are often shortages of medicine in Pakistan and that some imported medical supplies may be restricted. A brand you rely on at home may simply not be on the shelf.
- Pack medicines in their original packaging, in your hand luggage, with a copy of the prescription.
- Know the generic names of what you take, not just the brand, in case a pharmacist has to find an equivalent.
- Check the legal status of anything unusual before you fly. The UK advice warns that some medicines legal at home may be treated differently in Pakistan, and points travellers to the TravelHealthPro guidance on carrying medicines abroad.
- Bring a small kit for the common things: rehydration salts, something for diarrhoea, painkillers, plasters and any antihistamine you use.
If you do need a pharmacy, use an established one. The FCDO notes that some pharmacies in the cities and inside hospitals are open 24 hours a day, and its list names Shaheen Chemist in Islamabad's Blue Area, D. Watson in F-6 Markaz and W. Wilson Chemists in Rawalpindi's Saddar. Hospital pharmacies are the safest bet late at night. Check the expiry date and the packaging of anything you buy.
What usually goes wrong for visitors?
Most visitors who see a doctor in Pakistan do so for ordinary things, not emergencies:
- Stomach upsets. Drink bottled or properly treated water and be careful with salads and ice early in the trip. Our guides to drinking water and street food go into detail.
- Air pollution. The UK advice singles out Punjab, and Lahore in particular, as among the worst affected, especially from October to February. If you have asthma or a heart or lung condition, bring your inhalers and medication, and plan fewer days in Lahore in those months.
- Heat. From May to August the plains are extremely hot. Our heatstroke guide covers the warning signs.
- Vaccine-preventable illness. See a travel clinic four to six weeks before you fly. Our vaccinations guide covers what is recommended and the polio rule for stays of four weeks or more.
What changes when you head north?
Everything gets thinner. The big private hospitals are in the cities; in the mountains you are relying on district hospitals, long drives and, in a real emergency, evacuation. The UK advice warns that ambulance response times in remote or mountainous areas can be more than an hour, and that altitude sickness is a risk in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Before you leave Islamabad, buy anything you might need, make sure your insurance includes evacuation, and read our guide to hospitals and medical help in the northern areas, which lists the main hospital in each valley.
Is medical care in Pakistan good enough for a visitor?
In the cities, for most things a visitor is likely to need, yes. A large private hospital in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi is a reasonable place to be treated, and the Aga Khan University Hospital holds international accreditation. The FCDO's summary is that local facilities are below UK standards, especially in remote areas, and the gap between the cities and the rest is the part to plan around.
The practical answer is to plan for the gaps rather than worry about them: bring your medicines, carry insurance that covers treatment and evacuation, save the numbers above, and keep the hospital list for the city you are in. If you are travelling with us, your guide knows where to go; our Pakistan tours for international travellers require medical and evacuation cover for exactly this reason.
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Pakistan?
Dial 1122 for an ambulance or fire service and 15 for the police. In Karachi, the Edhi Foundation's ambulance service answers on 115.
Which hospital should a foreigner go to in Islamabad?
The UK government's list names Shifa International Hospital in H-8/4, Maroof International Hospital in F-10 Markaz and Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital on the GT Road. All three are private.
Do hospitals in Pakistan accept travel insurance?
Some large private hospitals work with insurers, but most visitors pay first and claim later. Call your insurer's emergency line early, especially before an admission, and keep itemised bills and a medical report in English.
Can I buy my usual medicines in Pakistan?
Not reliably. The UK advice says medicine shortages are common, so bring enough for the whole trip in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Are there 24-hour pharmacies in Pakistan?
Yes, some, mainly in the big cities and inside hospitals. A hospital pharmacy is the safest choice late at night.
