ISLAMABAD: One of the top paediatricians of Pakistan, Dr Tabish Hazir, who served at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for over three decades, breathed his last at the same hospital on Tuesday night, leaving his family, friends, and those whose children are in good health because of his efforts saddened.

His funeral prayers were offered at 4pm in B Block Model Town, Lahore, on Wednesday which were attended by a large number people including politicians, academics and medical practitioners. The deceased was later laid to rest in a local graveyard in Model Town.

Dr Hazir, 74, was the husband of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shireen Mazari and was suffering from colon cancer for the last two years. He had been under treatment at Pims.

Former Pims executive director Dr Ijaz Qadeer, while talking to Dawn, said Dr Hazir was a top paediatrician of Pakistan and his services for Pims would always be remembered.

Top paediatrician laid to rest in Lahore

He said the deceased established the paediatric department at the hospital and headed the neonatology department.

It is worth mentioning here that neonatology is a sub-specialty of paediatrics that focuses on medical care of newborns, especially those who are ill or premature.

“He believed in research and never stopped learning new fields while he was in the hospital. He was expert on issues related to reasons of death in newborn and also reasons of infection in children,” Dr Qadeer said.

Talking to Dawn, former vice chancellor of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University Prof Dr Javed Akram said he had frequent interaction with Dr Hazir as Pims was the affiliated hospital of the university.

“He was a thorough gentleman and professional. He was supportive of academics and was a supporter of the university. He was eager to do research, which is why I consider him as one of my best friends,” he said.

Dr Tabish Hazir’s sister Tamkinet Karim, while talking to Dawn, said her brother was born on May 31, 1958 in Lahore.

“He did his initial schooling in Sialkot and MBBS from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. He also did a number of courses and specialisation and joined Pims which he served till his retirement. He was under treatment at Pims at the time of his death. We shifted the body on Wednesday morning to his house in Islamabad and then to Lahore,” she said.

Ms Karim said the deceased had worked in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the welfare of the children of Pakistan.

She said Dr Tabish Hazir and Dr Shireen Mazari separated 12 years ago but it was not correct that the couple had divorce.

“The deceased has a daughter Imaan Mazari-Hazir and a son Sabeel Mazari-Hazir,” she said.

Tamkinet Karim said Dr Hazir was the son of renowned poet Taufiq Rafat and wanted to be laid besides his father’s grave, which was why his body was shifted to Lahore.

She said Qul would be held on Thursday (today) in Model Town Lahore between 1pm to 3pm.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2022