Staffing gap at capital federal hospitals
Islamabad hospital jobs for physicians, nurses and allied clinical workers are far from fully staffed. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal informed senators that 1,249 approved clinical roles sit empty across three federal facilities in the capital: the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the Federal Government Polyclinic and Federal General Hospital.
Responding in writing to Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, he put the combined authorised strength for those cadres at 3,797. With 2,548 roles occupied, roughly one-third of the approved clinical workforce is missing.
How the shortfall breaks down
Most of the gap sits at PIMS — 963 unfilled posts — followed by 239 at the Polyclinic and 47 at Federal General Hospital. Taken together, 485 of 1,380 physician roles, 435 of 1,471 nursing roles and 329 of 946 paramedic roles have no holder.
At PIMS, about 45 percent of physician seats are open: 385 of 852. Nursing shows 363 openings (730 of 1,093 filled), and 215 of 508 paramedic seats lack staff. The Polyclinic lists 90 physician, 45 nursing and 104 paramedic openings. Federal General Hospital reports 10 physician, 27 nursing and 10 paramedic gaps; nursing there is about 30 percent short of its authorised strength.
Daily demand remains heavy. Ministry figures put PIMS above 8,000 patients a day, the Polyclinic between 2,000 and 2,500, and Federal General Hospital between 1,000 and 1,100.
Rising caseloads while seats stay open
Visit data for three years point to mounting pressure. PIMS outpatient encounters moved from about 1.46 million in 2023-24 to about 1.61 million in 2025-26. Emergency attendances rose from roughly 703,000 to 778,000, and inpatient admissions from 79,420 to 88,886.
At the 585-bed Polyclinic, outpatient visits climbed from 628,381 to 848,371 over the same period. Emergency cases jumped from 78,379 to 214,371 — close to a threefold rise. The senator had asked for three-year staffing trends; the ministry supplied only the present vacancy snapshot for personnel and reserved the multi-year series for patient volume.
Hiring tracks and expansion plans
On open Islamabad hospital jobs, the minister described two tracks. Non-gazetted posts under the direct-recruitment quota will shortly go to the Finance Division so the Austerity Committee can clear a no-objection certificate for financial year 2026-27. Gazetted grades (BPS-16 and above) are already moving: at PIMS, 479 of 883 vacant gazetted seats have been filled and the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has advertised the remaining 404. The Polyclinic file is still inside the ministry. At Federal General Hospital, the FPSC has recommended eight medical officers. The reply did not split those steps by doctor, nurse or paramedic. Promotion boards continue for seats reserved for in-service advancement.
Capacity plans listed include a 200-bed emergency and accident block, a 200-bed cancer facility and a cardiac and stroke unit at PIMS; Jinnah Hospital (FGPC-II) targeted for completion by June 2027; and further expansion at Federal General Hospital. PIMS also offers doctors hostel space, and clinical staff may use housing in a 356-unit colony.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2023-24: PIMS recorded about 1.46 million outpatient visits, roughly 703,000 emergency cases and 79,420 admissions; the Polyclinic logged 628,381 outpatient and 78,379 emergency visits.
- 2025-26: PIMS outpatient volume reached about 1.61 million, emergency cases about 778,000 and admissions 88,886; Polyclinic outpatient visits reached 848,371 and emergency cases 214,371.
- Current Senate reply: Minister Kamal reported 1,249 empty clinical posts; at PIMS, 479 gazetted roles have been filled and 404 remain advertised by the FPSC.
- Financial year 2026-27: Non-gazetted direct-recruitment clearance is to be sought from the Austerity Committee through the Finance Division.
- By June 2027: Jinnah Hospital (FGPC-II) is expected to be ready.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad ke teen federal hospitals mein doctors, nurses aur paramedics ki 1,249 asamiyan khali hain. Zyada kami PIMS mein hai, jahan rozana hazaron mariz aate hain. Wazir kehte hain ke bharti ke do raste chal rahe hain aur naye wards bhi ban rahe hain. Jab tak asamiyan bhar na jayein, intezar aur rush barh sakta hai.
