FROM 2016 TO 2025: PAKISTAN’S LIFELINE STILL GROUNDED – A RENEWED CALL FOR AIR AMBULANCE REFORM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61841/5qjkfa18Keywords:
Air Ambulance, Pakistan, Emergency Medical Services, Healthcare Infrastructure, Public-Private Partnerships, Air Medical Network, International Models.Abstract
In 2016, legal and policy expert Hassan Rasheed Siddiqui recommended the creation of a Pakistan national air ambulance to provide emergency medical services during crises and in rural areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. This paper looks back on Mr. Siddiqui’s call, describes the continued public fallout from policy inaction, and recommends a framework to establish a national air ambulance system informed by international best practices. Pakistan’s geography, with its mountainous terrain, rural populations and the difficulties they can experience in finding even basic health services, has increased the urgency for fast-evacuation MEDEVAC facilities. The existing algorithms (military helicopters, private charter companies and ad hoc NGOs efforts) are insufficient and this results in vulnerable groups not receiving timely medical attention. In 2016, Mr. Siddiqui foresaw the establishment of an air medical network that would resolve the shortage of trained airborne paramedics, uniform protocols and inter-agency coordination. Yet not withstanding these explicit recommendations, in Pakistan’s fragmented healthcare infrastructure, there is no functional air ambulance system for the larger public. Models and experiences from other countries including India, Turkey, and South Africa are worth consideration for Pakistan. Pakistan can model and adapt these systems by developing an integrated, cost-effective and equitable aero medical evacuation system which caters for urban and rural populations. A number of recommendations are provided for Pakistan, such as development of national legislation, regulatory authority under the CAA, fleet partnering, and aerial paramedical training programs as a panacea to the article. Incorporating digital dispatch and GIS technology will also be critical to minimizing air ambulance response times, particularly in rural areas. Taking these actions is necessary for providing lifesaving public health services that do not discriminate based on geography or wealth.
References
Akhtar, S. (2023). Economy: No country for the young. Dawn.com. https://www.dawn.com/news/1733020
Alamuddin, B. (2023). Inequality and the threat to Pakistan’s economic stability. Arab News PK. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2264491
Ali, M. (2023). Pakistan’s trade deficit: Challenges and prospects. Weekly Cutting Edge. https://weeklycuttingedge.com/pakistanstrade-deficit-challenges-andprospects/#:~:text=Pakistan’s%20global%20trade%20share%20has,
successfully%20expanded%20their%20export%20capacities
Ayaz, M., Chaudhary, G. M., & Masoom, M. A. (2023). Effect of energy crisis on performance of export and non-export oriented textile companies in Pakistan. Journal of Educational Research and Social Sciences Review (JERSSR), 3(1), 140-147.
Azad, A. R. (2023). Economic growth has to be backed by structural reforms: Shamshad. Brecorder. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40274947
Bhomwick, S. (2023). ‘Unbalanced’ balance of payments: Pakistan’s vicious cycle. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/expertspeak/unbalanced-balance-of-payments
Burki, S. J. (2023). Income inequality and poverty in Pakistan. Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2408328/income-inequality-and-poverty-in pakistan#:~:text=By%20all%20measures%2C%20Pakistan%20
performs,the%20average%20for%20the%20poorest.
State Bank of Pakistan. (2023). Chapter 6. https://www.sbp.org.pk/reports/annual/aarFY22/Chapter-06.pdf
Ejaz, N., & Mallawaarachchi, T. (2023). Disparities in economic achievement across the rural–urban divide in Pakistan: Implications for development planning. Economic Analysis and Policy, 77, 487-512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.11.023
Ghalib, S. J. (2023). Political instability and Pakistan’s economic crises. Stratheia. https://stratheia.com/political-instability-and-pakistans-economic-crises/
Hanif, U. (2022). Construction sector fears collapse. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2382837/construction-sector-fears-collapse
Haq, S. (2022). An unyielding year for agriculture in Pakistan. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393236/an-unyielding-year-for-agriculture-in-pakistan
Horowitz, J. (2023). Pakistan’s political crisis will deepen its economic misery. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/12/economy/pakistan-political-crisis-economydefault/index.html
Hussain, A. (2023, November 16). Pakistan and IMF reach deal for releasing $700m from $3bn bailout package. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/16/pakistan-and-imf-reach-deal-for-releasing-700m-from-3bn-bailout
Inflation rates in Pakistan. (2022). WorldData.info. https://www.worlddata.info/asia/pakistan/inflationrates.php#:~:
text=The%20inflation%20rate%20for%20consumer,rate%20was%208.25%20per%20year.
Jain, A. (2023, March 7). ‘Requested China to roll over USD 2 billion deposits’: Pakistan tells IMF. Mint. https://www.livemint.com/news/world/requested-china-to-roll-over-usd-2-billion-deposits-pakistan-tells-imf-11678174815917.html
Jilani, M. (2023). Exploring Pakistan’s energy sector: Sources and trends. Paradigm Shift. https://www.paradigmshift.com.pk/pakistan-energy-sector/
Khan, F. (2023). The geopolitical framing of Pakistan’s economic crisis. South Asian Voices. https://southasianvoices.org/the-geopolitical-framing-of-pakistans-economic-crisis/
O’Neill, A. (2023). Pakistan: Gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices from 1987 to 2023. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/383739/gross-domestic-product-gdp-inpakistan/#:~:text=The%20gross%20domestic%20product%20in,value%20in%20the%20observed%20period
Pakistan GDP annual growth rate. (2022). Trading Economics. https://tradingeconomics.com/pakistan/gdp-growth-annual#:~
Nosherwan Adil, Kashif Ashfaq, & Muhammad Saad Arshad. (2023). Pakistan GDP per capita. Trading Economics. https://tradingeconomics.com/pakistan/gdp-per-capita
Pakistan’s foreign loan inflows slow down: Ministry of Economic Affairs. (2023, January 28). The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistans-foreign-loan-inflows-slow-down-ministry-of-economicaffairs/articleshow/97396161.cms?from=mdr
Qureshi, A. (2023). Overcoming barriers to education and healthcare access in Pakistan: A comprehensive analysis. Medium. https://medium.com/columbia-journal-of-science-tech-ethics-and-policy/overcoming-barriers-to-education-and-healthcare-access-in-pakistan-a-comprehensive-analysis-
Qureshi, I. A., & Shah, H. J. (2019). Deteriorating economic conditions and their impact on national security. ISSRA Papers, 11(II), 29-44.
Rana, S. (2023, April 6). Pakistan’s existential economic crisis. United States Institute for Peace. https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/04/pakistans-existential-economic-crisis
Rashid, Dr. Q. (2023). What austerity measures. Pakistan Today. https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/02/25/what-austerity-measures/
Sajjad, Dr. A. (2023). Pakistan’s economic crisis: Unveiling the causes, impacts, and remedies. Superior University. https://oric.superior.edu.pk/pakistans-economic-crisis-unveiling-the-causes-impacts-and-remedies/
Shahid, A. (2023). Pakistan’s inflation rises to 31.4% y/y amid high energy prices. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/pakistans-sept-cpi-314-yy-statistics-bureau-2023-10-02/
Shahzad, A., & Niyyar, G. (2023). UAE to loan $1 bln, roll over another $2 bln to Pakistan - minister. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/uae-roll-over-2-bln-loan-pakistan-provide-1-bln-additional-loan-2023-01-12/
Siddiqui, E. H. A. (2023). Industrial regression. The News International. https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/money-matters/1077048-industrial-regression
Simsek, H. A. (2022). A brief analysis of Pakistan’s economy in the context of regional developments. Eurasian Research Institute. https://www.eurasianresearch.org/publication/a-brief-analysis-of-pakistan-economy-in-the-context-of-regional-developments/
Siddiqui, H. R. ., & Leghari, A. . (2007). FAITH, FREEDOM, AND THE FUTURE: RECLAIMING INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC VALUES IN SOUTH ASIA. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 13(1), 107–116. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2868
Siddiqui, H. R. ., & Leghari, A. . (2008). LIBERALISM IN SOUTH ASIA, A CASE STUDY OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND INTERFAITH HARMONY. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 14(2), 90–97. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2870
Siddiqui, H. R. ., & Muniza, M. . (2009). SOWING ILLUSIONS, REAPING DISARRAY: MEDIA INFLUENCE, URBAN MIGRATION, AND THE DISMANTLING OF SOCIETAL NORMS IN SOUTH ASIA. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 15(2), 126–139. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2871
Siddiqui, H. R. . (2011). IN THE COURT OF KNOWLEDGE, JUDGING THE JUDGES OF LEARNING. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 17(1), 83–91. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2872
Siddiqui, H. R. . (2013). THE PERSONAL LENS IN ACADEMIC EVALUATION: A CRITIQUE OF EDUCATOR BIAS. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 19(1), 93–101. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2873
Siddiqui, H. R. (2016). ESTABLISHING AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES IN PAKISTAN: A REGULATORY AND INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL AVIATION. Journal of Advanced Research in Medical and Health Science (ISSN 2208-2425), 2(5), 17-30. https://doi.org/10.61841/z1tjva12
Siddiqui, H. R. . (2019). WHO JUDGES THE JUDGES? ADDRESSING INTEGRITY AND SECURITY GAPS IN THE SINDH JUDICIAL RECRUITMENT SYSTEM. International Journal of Advance Research in Education & Literature (ISSN 2208-2441), 5(8), 5-15.https://doi.org/10.61841/txq2w096
Siddiqui, H. R. (2022). PUBLIC FUNDS, PRIVATE GAINS: INVESTIGATING CORRUPTION IN NADRA’S MEGA CENTER LEASE DEALS. Journal of Advance Research in Social Science and Humanities (ISSN 2208-2387), 8(12), 17-28. https://doi.org/10.61841/2s3kmv78
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ehtsham-Ul- Aziz, Dr Sadia Memon (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
