Lahore: The Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute has successfully completed 1,000 liver transplants, placing it among the world’s leading transplant centers.
According to Radio Pakistan, PKLI was a vision conceived by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab in 2017. His dream was to establish an institution that would provide world-class treatment for liver and kidney diseases to the people of Pakistan, right within the country. Today, that dream has become a reality, saving thousands of lives through this facility.
In addition to 1,000 liver transplants, PKLI has performed 1,100 kidney and 14 bone marrow transplants, and has treated over four million patients. Currently, around eighty percent of patients receive completely free treatment using advanced technology and international standards. For those who can afford it, treatment costs go up to six million, which is significantly lower than in other countries in the region.
Unfortunately, this project was targeted for political revenge by former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar through actions that contradicted national interest, and later by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government. PKLI’s funds were frozen, its administration entangled in unnecessary investigations, and most regrettably, the world-class transplant center was converted into a COVID hospital.
There is no precedent in global medical history for a state-of-the-art transplant center being shut down and turned into a quarantine hospital. Resultantly, only four liver transplants were performed in 2019. However, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned to office in 2022, he revived this national asset, provided resources, and realigned the institution with its original mission.
Consequently, PKLI completed 211 liver transplants in 2022, 213 in 2023, 259 in 2024, and over 200 successful liver transplants so far in 2025.
Experts estimate that liver transplants abroad cost between 70,000 dollars and 150,000 dollars, excluding travel and accommodation expenditure along with emotional stress. In the past, nearly 500 Pakistani patients traveled to India annually for treatment, incurring millions of rupees in expenses and facing inhumane treatment.
PKLI has eliminated these challenges by opening the doors to treatment within Pakistan, saving billions in valuable foreign exchange.
The institute is not limited to transplants as it also offers internationally recognized services in urology, gastroenterology, nephrology, interventional radiology, advanced endoscopy, and robotic surgeries.
With the special patronage and active support of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the institute continues to progress. According to the administration, PKLI is now not just a hospital, but a symbol of national pride, self-reliance, and humanitarian service.
This institution stands as a testament to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, dedication to public service, and unwavering commitment.