KARACHI: Retired Brig Prof Dr Jahan Ara Pal passed away on Tuesday morning after a brief illness. She was 85.

She was laid to rest in the Army Graveyard.

Part of an illustrious literary family of thinkers and writers, Prof Pal’s entire life was a relentless series of ‘firsts’ following her family’s tumultuous migration to Pakistan.

She and her sister were the first who attained enrolment in an all-boys college (Shikarpur) for undergraduate studies that opened doors for other female students.

The late professor was the ‘Best Graduate’ of the 1956 graduating class of Dow Medical College.

After completing her house job in cardiology at the Civil Hospital Karachi, she declined to avail a scholarship for further training in Britain and chose to join the Pakistan Armed Forces — an affiliation that remained a source of tremendous pride and satisfaction for her.

Prof Pal was the first recipient of MCPS in gynaecology and obstetrics in Pakistan from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) in 1968 followed by Diploma in Obstetrics from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of UK in 1970, FCPS in1976 from CPSP, MRCOG in 1978 and later FRCOG.

As an illustrious army officer, she played pivotal roles in setting new standards in the field of medicine and shaping the future of women in the Armed Forces Medical Corps.

The late professor was instrumental in initiating a postgraduate diploma and fellowship in obstetrics and gynaecology at CPSP.

As head of the department at PNS Shifa Hospital from 1976 to 1987, she was the first to study, define and publish on intrauterine foetal growth profiles in the Pakistani population and relevance of maternal anaemia for intrauterine foetal growth.

From 1987 till she bade goodbye to the Army in 1989, she served as professor and head of department of Obs/Gyn in Army Medical College and Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.

After resignation from the Armed Forces, Prof Pal joined Baqai Medical University in Karachi in 1992 and in less than a year set up an IVF unit. She finally joined the Aga Khan University as chairperson of the obstetrics and gynaecology department.

Prof Pal was one of the firsts to introduce, implement and teach invasive procedures for prenatal testing in Pakistan.

She served as an Advisor and Visiting Consultant to PNS Shifa, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantonment and Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Masroor Base, Karachi.

In 1993, she was further honoured by being appointed as an Emerita Professor in Armed Forces Medical College, Rawalpindi.

Throughout her career, she received many military awards such as Tamgha-i-Jang (1965 & 1971 wars); Quaid-i-Azam Centenary Medal, Hijra medal, Democracy Medal, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) in 1978 and Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) in 1988.

Prof Jahan Ara Pal also served as an editor of Doctor Publications and has authored many scientific papers as well as Urdu literature and poetry books; Yaadon ke Sangraize and Intikhab-i-Kalaam Ameen Hazeen Sialkoti who was her father in law, being her last ventures.

She is survived by three children Prof Dr Inam Pal, Prof Dr Lubna Pal and Shakil Pal.

Published in Dawn, July 28th , 2021