Punjab Air Ambulance Service - Pakistan's first air ambulance for critical patients in remote areas

Punjab Air Ambulance Service: Coverage, Bases & How It Works

For patients in remote parts of Punjab, reaching a specialized trauma or cardiac facility in time has historically been one of the biggest obstacles to survival. In March 2025, the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, addressed this directly by launching Pakistan's first provincial Air Ambulance Service — a dedicated air transport system for critically ill patients, run in coordination with Rescue 1122.

Here's a clear overview of how the service is structured, where it operates, and the impact it has had since launch.

What Is the Punjab Air Ambulance Service?

The Air Ambulance Service uses fixed-wing aircraft to transport critically ill patients — particularly trauma and cardiac cases — from remote and underserved areas of Punjab to specialized hospitals, most often in Lahore, within the crucial "Golden Hour" when rapid medical intervention can be the difference between life and death. While flight operations and aircraft maintenance are handled by a private aviation contractor, medical crew, equipment, and patient care during transport are provided by the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122), ensuring flights are staffed by trained emergency medical personnel rather than functioning as a bare transport service.

Air Ambulance Service: Key Details

Launch Date	March 2025
Aircraft in Service	Two dedicated air ambulances (fixed-wing)
Base Locations	One at Rawalpindi/Mianwali (North Punjab); one at Multan/Bahawalnagar (South Punjab)
Managing Partner	Medical crew and equipment via Rescue 1122; flight operations via a licensed aviation contractor
Annual Operating Cost	Approximately Rs. 440 million
FY 2026–27 Budget Allocation	Rs. 3.85 billion (covering air ambulance and mobile health unit expansion)
Patients Airlifted (mid-2026)	270–300+ critical patients evacuated to specialized trauma facilities
New Infrastructure	Additional airstrip under construction in Bhakkar

Where Does the Service Operate?

The two-aircraft fleet is strategically positioned to cover both ends of the province:

North Punjab base: Rawalpindi or Mianwali
South Punjab base: Multan or Bahawalnagar

This dual-base structure ensures that remote areas in both the northern and southern parts of Punjab have realistic access to rapid air transport, rather than concentrating the service around a single major city. Reports have noted that trauma and cardiac patients from remote areas like Mianwali and Bahawalnagar are already being airlifted regularly to Lahore for specialized treatment. A new airstrip currently under construction in Bhakkar is expected to extend coverage further.

What the Service Is Used For

Critical medical transport: Moving trauma and cardiac patients from remote areas to specialized hospitals equipped to handle their condition.
Golden Hour response: Prioritizing speed to ensure patients reach advanced care within the critical early window after a medical emergency.
Disaster response: In emergencies such as earthquakes or large-scale accidents, the service can also be used to airlift rescue personnel and supplies to affected areas.

Progress Since Launch

Since becoming fully operational, the service has reported steady growth in impact:

By mid-2026, the two air ambulances had evacuated and airlifted 270 to over 300 critically ill or injured patients from remote locations to specialized trauma facilities.
The Punjab government has continued to expand related emergency infrastructure alongside the air ambulance program, including 33 new rescue stations across the province and a broader Rs. 5 billion proposal to expand Rescue 1122's on-road vehicle fleet.
Officials have described the program as part of a wider modernization of Punjab's emergency services, alongside flood response planning and safety surveys of high-rise buildings.

How to Access the Service

The Air Ambulance Service is generally activated through Rescue 1122's emergency response system rather than being something a patient or family books directly in advance. In practice, this means:

A medical emergency is reported through Rescue 1122's standard emergency channels.
Rescue 1122 medical staff assess whether the patient's condition and location justify an air ambulance dispatch, based on severity and distance to appropriate care.
If approved, the nearest air ambulance base is contacted to coordinate the airlift to a specialized hospital, most often in Lahore.
Rescue 1122 medical crew accompany the patient throughout the flight to provide continuous care.

Because dispatch decisions depend on medical assessment and aircraft availability, this service functions as an emergency response tool rather than a routine transport option — for general emergency needs, Rescue 1122's standard ground ambulance network remains the primary point of contact.

Why This Program Matters

First of its kind in Pakistan: Punjab became the first province to introduce a dedicated government air ambulance service.
Closes the geography gap: Remote areas that previously faced hours-long ground transport times to specialized care now have a much faster option.
Golden Hour access: Faster transport directly improves survival odds for trauma and cardiac emergencies.
Disaster-readiness: Beyond routine emergencies, the service adds a valuable rapid-response tool for large-scale disasters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many air ambulances does Punjab currently operate?
Two dedicated fixed-wing air ambulances are currently in service, based in North and South Punjab respectively.

Where are the air ambulance bases located?
One aircraft is based at Rawalpindi or Mianwali in North Punjab, and the other at Multan or Bahawalnagar in South Punjab.

How many patients has the service helped so far?
As of mid-2026, the service had evacuated and airlifted between 270 and over 300 critically ill or injured patients to specialized trauma facilities.

Can I book the air ambulance in advance for a planned transfer?
The service is primarily an emergency response tool activated through Rescue 1122's assessment process, rather than a service patients book directly for routine or planned transfers.

Is the service expanding to new areas?
Yes, a new airstrip is under construction in Bhakkar, and the government has allocated further budget for expanding related emergency service infrastructure.

This post is intended as general informational guidance and is not an official government publication. For emergencies, contact Rescue 1122 through official emergency channels. Please confirm current service details, coverage areas, and dispatch procedures directly with Rescue 1122.

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