KARACHI: Medical Tourism received a major boost as Bukhari Group of Companies and Türkiye’s Ibni Sina Institute signed a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen healthcare cooperation, investment and innovation between Pakistan and Türkiye.

The agreement, signed at Bukhari Group’s head office in Karachi, establishes a framework for collaboration in medical tourism, healthy ageing, longevity, healthcare investment, medical education, digital health and sustainable healthcare development. The partnership also aims to expand scientific cooperation and strengthen people-centered healthcare initiatives between the two countries.

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The signing ceremony brought together senior government officials, healthcare professionals, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives and members of the media. Fayaz Ali Shah, Managing Director of Sindh Tourism, attended the event as the guest of honour.

Speaking at the ceremony, Fayaz Ali Shah said Pakistan has strong potential to become a regional hub for medical tourism. He noted that international partnerships can improve healthcare standards, attract foreign investment and promote Pakistan as a preferred destination for medical and wellness services.

Dr. Kemal Aydın, President of the Ibni Sina Institute, described the agreement as a new milestone in Pakistan–Türkiye relations. He said the partnership extends beyond medical tourism by creating opportunities for scientific research, healthcare diplomacy, healthy ageing, innovation and sustainable development.

Brigadier (Retired) Sardar Sajjad Hussain, Group CEO of Bukhari Group, said the partnership supports the company’s vision of positioning Pakistan as a leading destination for medical tourism and healthcare innovation. He added that both organizations will strengthen bilateral cooperation through initiatives linked to the Silk Road vision, the D-8 platform and other international programmes promoting healthcare excellence and economic growth.

Under the agreement, both organizations will jointly develop the Pakistan–Türkiye Medical Tourism Corridor while collaborating on healthy ageing programmes, hospital-at-home services, community healthcare, telemedicine, digital health and artificial intelligence applications.

The partnership also covers healthcare investment, medical innovation, professional training for doctors and nurses, academic research, institutional partnerships, student and researcher exchange programmes, international conferences, scientific forums and wellness tourism initiatives.

Both organizations also announced plans to support global initiatives, including the Silk Road Health Initiative, the World Healthy Ageing Conference, the World Longevity Forum, the Health, Ageing, Development and Environment (HADE) Forum and future D-8 health and medical tourism projects.

Officials from both sides said the partnership will encourage knowledge sharing, attract investment, strengthen healthcare innovation and contribute to sustainable development. They expressed confidence that the alliance will serve as a model for future Pakistan–Türkiye cooperation while promoting medical excellence, healthcare diplomacy and economic development.