Country Profile at a Glance

Market Overview

Healthcare Infrastructure

Pakistan operates approximately 1,250 hospitals and 5,500 dispensaries in the public sector, alongside a rapidly growing private hospital network concentrated in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Major private hospital groups — Aga Khan University Hospital (Karachi), Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, and CMH hospitals — operate at international standards and actively source CE-certified equipment. The government's Sehat Sahulat Programme (Pakistan's UHC initiative) is expanding coverage and driving public hospital procurement across all provinces.

Key Market Drivers

• Population of 250M+ creating very high baseline device demand across all categories
• Sehat Sahulat Programme (UHC) driving government hospital infrastructure investment
• Rapidly growing private hospital sector in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad
• Turkey-Pakistan special relationship: exceptionally strong bilateral ties provide Turkish companies with unique relationship advantages
• High maternal health burden (250M+ young population) creating large maternal and neonatal device demand
• Rising non-communicable disease burden (diabetes, cardiovascular) driving chronic care device demand

Top Product Categories in Demand

Regulatory Environment

Framework & Authority

Medical devices in Pakistan are regulated by DRAP (Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan) under the DRAP Act 2012 and Medical Devices Rules 2017. All imported devices must be DRAP-registered before sale. CE Mark (EU) or FDA clearance is accepted as the primary conformity evidence. A licensed Pakistani importer is mandatory. DRAP registration typically takes 4–12 months. Pakistan is progressively aligning its framework with IMDRF guidelines, making CE documentation increasingly relevant.

Key Registration Requirements

• DRAP medical device registration — CE Mark is the primary supporting document
• Appointment of a licensed Pakistani importer/authorised agent
• Urdu or English labelling acceptable; Urdu preferred for devices used in non-hospital settings
• ISO 13485 certification required for Class II and above
• Import duty: 5–20% (category-dependent); DRAP-registered devices may qualify for reduced rates

Import & Trade Data

Pakistan imports approximately 90% of its medical devices. The dominant suppliers are China, Germany, USA, Japan, and India. Turkey's export share has been growing, driven by competitive CE-certified disposables and surgical instruments. The Turkey–Pakistan bilateral trade framework and recent cooperation agreements create preferential pathways for Turkish medical products.

Opportunities for Turkish Exporters

• Turkey's extraordinary relationship advantage: no other foreign country enjoys Turkey's level of diplomatic, cultural, and popular goodwill in Pakistan — this translates directly into procurement preference when products are price-competitive
• Disposables at massive scale: Pakistan's 250M+ population creates one of the world's largest demand pools for gloves, syringes, IV sets, surgical drapes, and wound care products
• DRAP registration leverage: a single DRAP registration covers Pakistan's entire market — securing early registration blocks competitors and builds first-mover advantage
• Private hospital procurement in Karachi and Lahore: the sophisticated private hospital groups actively prefer CE-certified products and have procurement staff familiar with European standards
• D-8 and OIC trade facilitation: Pakistan's active participation in D-8 and OIC frameworks creates preferential trade mechanisms for Turkish medical exporters

Challenges & Considerations

• Currency instability: the Pakistani Rupee has experienced significant devaluation; USD-denominated contracts are essential
• DRAP registration delays: the process can be slow and documentation-intensive; a Karachi-based regulatory consultant is strongly advised
• Payment risk: letters of credit from a top-tier Pakistani bank are recommended, particularly for first-time transactions
• Import duty complexity: Pakistan's tariff schedule for medical devices is complex; consult a customs expert before pricing

Conclusion

Pakistan represents one of the highest-potential, lowest-competition opportunities for Turkish medical device exporters. The combination of 250 million people, high import dependency, growing private healthcare sector, and Turkey's unparalleled bilateral relationship creates conditions that are essentially unique in the global export landscape. Turkish companies that establish DRAP registration, appoint a strong Karachi-based distributor, and activate the bilateral relationship advantage will find Pakistan to be one of their most rewarding international markets.