Islamabad, Pakistan
20th August, 2026
In its relentless pursuit of advancing economic cooperation and strengthening private-sector engagement across the Islamic world, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) successfully organized the International Medical Tourism Conference 2026 in Islamabad, as part of the Tea for Tourism series, powered by the Sustainable Tourism Forum, bringing together a distinguished gathering of government leaders, diplomats, healthcare executives, investors, hospital representatives, tourism stakeholders, and standards and accreditation bodies from the Islamic world and beyond.
The conference was held in collaboration with OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), the Board of Investment (BOI), Pakistan, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), with the support of the Gold Sponsor, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Farooq Hospital, and the Aga Khan University Hospital (Pakistan), the Silver Sponsor, Novacare Hospitals and Bioniks.
Through a rich program of keynote addresses, high-level panel discussions, symposia, and country and hospital presentations, the conference explored the full spectrum of the medical tourism value chain, from health policy and investment facilitation to accreditation, destination branding, pharmaceutical trade, and patient-centred care. Discussions focused on the policies, quality standards, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships needed to establish a trusted and competitive global medical tourism ecosystem.
Commencing the conference, Mr. Khawaja Ashraf Hussain, Director of Events Management at the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Development (ICCD), delivered the opening address at the Medical Tourism Conference, stating: “The Tea for Tourism initiative is a global think tank designed to bring together experts in sustainable tourism and allied services under one umbrella, uniting voices from across the OIC 57 member countries.”
The conference was honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr. Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, Governor of Sindh, whose attendance underscored the importance of medical tourism as a growing sector and reflected strong national support for positioning Pakistan as a competitive destination for international patients. During his speech, he highlighted the immense potential of integrating Halal tourism with medical care, adding: “The Islamic world has a unique opportunity to integrate Halal tourism, wellness retreats, and post-treatment recovery centers into a unified offering. The Islamic Chamber can serve as a catalyst for building this integrated ecosystem.”
Bridging knowledge and innovation, H.E. Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, OIC- Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH), highlighted the power of scientific collaboration, technological advancement, and knowledge-sharing in shaping stronger healthcare systems and advancing medical tourism across the Islamic world, indicating: “Science and technology are the foundational pillars of all development; whether in tourism, health, or medicine. Today, if we are living longer and remaining healthy, it is entirely because of science and technology.”
In this regard, Mr. Abdullah Butt, President of EDUCAST, delivered a compelling perspective at the Medical Tourism Conference, highlighting how a transformed medical landscape can significantly drive Pakistan’s economic growth, stating: “With total projected Muslim medical travel expenses reaching $20 to $30 billion, capturing just 1% to 2% of that market translates to $2 billion to $4 billion in annual revenues; a massive sum capable of fundamentally transforming our healthcare infrastructure. In this regard, the Digital Healing Corridor positions Pakistan as a premier medical tourism hub for the OIC, connecting care wherever it is needed.”
Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Maen KHREASAT, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of strengthening engagement across healthcare, government, business, media, and travel stakeholders, adding: “Jordan combines advanced specialty medicine, internationally benchmarked quality systems, competitive value, rapid access to consultants and procedures, and a safe, family-oriented recovery environment. This value proposition is strongest where clinical trust and continuity of care matter more than the lowest price. We welcome partnerships with Pakistan’s hospitals, physicians, insurers, and public institutions to build safe, practical, and lasting patient pathways.”
Delivering insightful perspectives at the Medical Tourism Conference, H.E. Mr. İhsan Övüt, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), emphasized that robust conformity frameworks are the essential building blocks for earning international patient trust, ensuring safety, and accelerating the sustainable growth of cross-border healthcare services across the Islamic world, stating: “For many Muslim patients, receiving high-quality medical treatment is only one part of the decision; they may also seek assurance that the services, facilities, and overall patient journey are compatible with Islamic principles. This is precisely where standards can make a meaningful difference. As the official standards organization of the OIC, SMIIC works to develop internationally applicable frameworks that respond to the needs of our member states and the wider Muslim community.”
Additionally, H.E. Mr. Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism, took the stage to explore the rapidly growing intersection between these two dynamic sectors, stating: “Pakistan offers medical care that is 80% to 90% more affordable than the rest of the world. By implementing organized, strategic marketing, we have a tremendous opportunity to attract global patients. It is all about perspective; when we proudly showcase the true & vibrant Pakistan, the world will naturally be drawn to our world-class care.”
A significant milestone of the Medical Tourism Conference was the announcement of the “Islamabad Medical Tourism Declaration” announced by Mr. Muhammad Arshad Qaim Khani, CEO of the Prime Minister’s National Health Program and Lead of the National Health Tourism Working Group, Government of Pakistan.
The Declaration was initiated by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Development marks a collective step toward strengthening medical tourism cooperation across OIC Member States, establishing a shared framework focused on international patient facilitation, digital health cooperation, accreditation and patient safety, global positioning, investment, public-private partnerships, and international collaboration. It sets out a vision for a more integrated medical tourism ecosystem that facilitates access to quality healthcare across borders, strengthens institutional and knowledge exchange, and encourages investment in more resilient healthcare systems.
Complementing the conference program, a dedicated exhibition provided a platform for leading hospitals, healthcare providers, tourism companies, and other industry stakeholders to showcase Pakistan’s growing medical capabilities, services, and investment opportunities. The exhibition also created valuable opportunities for participants to engage directly with key players across the healthcare and tourism sectors.
The conference featured curated networking opportunities, facilitating meaningful connections between healthcare providers, investors, tourism stakeholders, and international delegates.
The Medical Tourism Conference was held as part of the Tea for Tourism series, powered by ICCD’s Sustainable Tourism Forum, reflecting ICCD’s continued efforts to foster business-to-business engagement, facilitate cross-border investment, strengthen private-sector partnerships, and promote greater economic cooperation among the Islamic countries.
The successful conclusion of the Medical Tourism Conference marks another step in ICCD’s efforts to connect markets, facilitate investment, and support the development of high-potential sectors that can contribute to sustainable economic growth and deeper cooperation across the Islamic world.
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