The Pakistani government has presented a deficit budget of Rs18,887 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the National Assembly. While the budget has set ambitious targets for , it also brought good news for the country’s journalist community.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced the revival of a health insurance scheme for journalists in his budget speech.

“When Shehbaz Sharif took office as Prime Minister for the second time, he ordered the restoration of health insurance for journalists and media workers,” said Aurangzeb.

“Today, I am pleased to announce the revival of this scheme for my journalist brothers and sisters.”

Aurangzeb explained that the scheme will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, 5,000 journalists and media workers across Pakistan will be covered by the health insurance program.

The second phase will expand coverage to an additional 10,000 journalists, providing them with access to essential healthcare.