Interview with Mr. Khalid Tawab, former Senior Vice President, FPCCI
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please.
Khalid Tawab: I have been serving the business community of Pakistan for several decades in various leadership and institutional capacities, with a particular focus on international trade, economic diplomacy, and private-sector development. Currently, I am leading international coordination and engagement for FPCCI, working closely with regional and global economic forums, chambers of commerce, and development institutions. My work revolves around strengthening Pakistan’s trade relations, promoting investment, and facilitating private-sector participation in regional and global markets.
PAGE: It is believed that a large number of private hospitals in Pakistan do not pay taxes on profits earned as they are not formally registered under the country’s taxation system. What is your perspective in this regard?
Khalid Tawab: Every business entity, including private hospitals, should fulfil their legitimate tax obligations in accordance with the law. At the same time, the taxation system should be transparent, fair and uniformly applied. Rather than relying on assumptions, the authorities should identify unregistered or non-compliant entities through proper documentation, audit and data integration.
The healthcare sector is different from many other commercial sectors because hospitals provide an essential public service. Therefore, taxation should be designed in a manner that improves compliance without unnecessarily increasing the cost of healthcare for ordinary citizens. Bringing undocumented economic activity into the formal tax net, while providing a predictable and business-friendly tax regime, would be a better approach.
PAGE: There is a prevalent assumption that the worsening quality of care at public-sector hospitals has forced people belonging to lower-middle-income groups to pay heavily to private-sector hospitals. Do you agree with it?
Khalid Tawab: To a considerable extent, yes. Public-sector hospitals remain the principal source of affordable healthcare for a large segment of the population. Where public hospitals face shortages of medicines, equipment, specialised doctors, nursing staff or other essential facilities, patients naturally turn towards private hospitals, even when the cost places a substantial burden on their household budgets.
However, the solution is not to discourage the private healthcare sector. Rather, Pakistan needs a strong public-private partnership in healthcare. Public hospitals should be upgraded and better managed, while the private sector should be encouraged to expand quality and affordable healthcare facilities. A well-regulated partnership between the two sectors can substantially improve access to healthcare.
PAGE: There is shortage of specialised doctors in government hospitals as postgraduate medical practitioners prefer going abroad or working in the private sector due to meagre salaries offered by the government. How would you comment on it?
Khalid Tawab: The shortage of specialised doctors in public hospitals is a serious issue and has multiple causes. Remuneration is certainly an important factor, but doctors also consider working conditions, opportunities for professional development, availability of modern medical equipment, career progression and the overall professional environment.
Pakistan invests considerable resources in educating and training its doctors. When highly qualified specialists leave the country or move to the private sector, the public healthcare system loses valuable human capital. The Government should therefore introduce competitive remuneration packages, performance-based incentives, clear career progression, better working conditions and opportunities for specialised training and research.
At the same time, we should look at the issue as a broader human-resource policy rather than simply increasing salaries. Retaining qualified specialists requires a professional environment in which they can serve patients with dignity and have access to modern facilities and technology.
PAGE: What is your take on Sehat Card Plus and other such medical incentives offered to the masses?
Khalid Tawab: Health insurance and initiatives such as Sehat Card Plus are positive steps towards making healthcare more accessible, particularly for low- and middle-income families. They can reduce the financial burden on households and give patients access to treatment in both public and empanelled private hospitals.
However, the long-term sustainability of such schemes is equally important. There should be strong monitoring, transparency, quality control and proper regulation of participating hospitals. The Government should also ensure timely payments to healthcare providers so that the system remains financially viable.
In my view, Pakistan needs a comprehensive healthcare strategy combining stronger public hospitals, regulated private-sector participation, health insurance coverage, preventive healthcare and greater investment in medical infrastructure and human resources. Health incentives can provide immediate relief, but they should form part of a broader and sustainable healthcare policy.