Nawaz Sharif Cancer institute nears operations as Dr Qaiser Bashir joins as dean

The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research (NSICT&R), a flagship healthcare project of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz

LAHORE:  The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research (NSICT&R), a flagship healthcare project of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has reached the final stage of preparations and is ready to begin operations, according to details shared about the project.

The Rs75 billion state-of-the-art facility aims to provide free cancer treatment to patients from Punjab and other parts of Pakistan. It is being presented as the country’s first comprehensive government-run cancer hospital, with specialised treatment facilities and modern medical infrastructure.

A significant development is the appointment of internationally recognised oncologist Dr Qaiser Bashir as the institute’s dean. An official press release issued on October 28, 2026, following a review meeting chaired by Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Board of Governors Chairman Captain (retd) Zahid Saeed, confirmed his participation in the meeting as dean through video link.

Dr Bashir is associated with the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, United States. According to information attributed to WebMD, Scopus and ScienceDirect, he has around 25 years of experience in oncology and specialises in multiple myeloma and bone marrow transplantation. He has also authored more than 89 research papers.

The institute’s recruitment process has also moved forward. According to reports on August 20, 2026, the proposed salary package for the dean exceeds Rs2.5 million. His appointment was approved through a Special Selection Board headed by the Punjab chief secretary and reviewed by the Finance Department under the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Act 2025.

Construction has reportedly been accelerated through round-the-clock work in three shifts on the chief minister’s directions. The Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) has been instructed to ensure that the hospital becomes operational within the timeline.

The first phase includes a bone marrow centre, cancer care clinic, paediatric oncology department, operation theatres, intensive care unit, 10 radiation therapy bunkers and a 30-bed emergency ward. Residential facilities for doctors and a mosque are also part of the initial development plan.

During a digital tour of the facility’s departments, Maryam Nawaz reportedly expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction and preparations.

Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, while conveying the chief minister’s vision, said the hospital would not refuse treatment to any patient. He also stated that patients suffering from advanced-stage cancer, including Level-3 and Level-4 cases, would receive free treatment.

The minister described the institute as a project for the entire country rather than Punjab alone, highlighting its intended role in expanding access to specialised cancer care.

Recruitment is currently underway to prepare the hospital for operations. Of the 329 advertised positions, 32 candidates have reportedly been selected, while advertisements for another 415 posts are planned. A separate recruitment advertisement covering 20 positions was also announced, with applications due by November 13, 2026. These include charge nurses, storekeepers and sanitary workers, with stated monthly salaries of Rs117,738, Rs60,791 and Rs53,363, respectively.

Once fully operational, the institute is expected to offer specialised services, including bone marrow transplantation, to patients who cannot afford expensive private healthcare.

The project is being described as a major step towards strengthening public healthcare and making advanced cancer treatment more accessible across Pakistan.