The Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre (AFBMTC) in Rawalpindi has successfully carried out Pakistan’s first-ever CAR T-cell therapy, marking a major milestone in the country’s cancer treatment capabilities.
According to the centre, a 21-year-old patient suffering from an aggressive form of blood cancer received locally developed CAR T-cells on June 18, 2026. Just 14 days later, the patient was declared cancer-free and was discharged from the hospital on July 3.
The breakthrough, achieved by doctors and scientists of the Army Medical Corps, offers new hope to cancer patients whose treatment options had become exhausted after conventional therapies failed.
Pakistan’s first hospital with free cancer treatment to open on July 31
Earlier, the Punjab government announced that Pakistan’s first public sector hospital with cancer free treatment, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore will be opened on July 31, 2026.
Authorities informed Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz that Packages A and B of the hospital would reach completion by July 31.
The Punjab government approved the same date for the new hospital’s opening.
The Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research is currently under construction in Valencia Town, Lahore.
The hospital’s location provides easy access to the motorway and Ring Road.
The Punjab government is expected to provide free treatment to cancer patients, especially stage three and stage four.
Patients from other provinces will also be able to receive treatment at the new hospital.
The new institute is expected to have a capacity of nearly 915 beds with the completion of the hospital costing around Rs75 billion.
The Punjab government has also begun looking for clinical and non-medical staff for the new hospital.
New positions include hospital staff including doctors in radiation oncology. The new institute may also operate with a digital paperless system.
Also read: THIS province announces free heart, cancer treatment
