KARACHI: After rendering 13 years of distinguished service as president of SZABIST University, noted educationist Shahnaz Wazir Ali has decided to bid farewell to the institution she helped build with devotion and care.

According to a press release issued here, she proposes to devote her time now to Nasra School Trust, established by her mother in 1949 and also continue working in the academia for improvement of its performance.

Varsity chancellor appoints retired bureaucrat Imtiaz Kazi as acting president

A warm send-off was accorded to her when she left her office located in Clifton. As an interim arrangement, the chairperson and chancellor of SZABIST University asked former senior bureaucrat and varsity’s vice president Imtiaz Kazi to hold the charge.

Ms Wazir Ali, a close associate and confidante of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has an illustrious career spanning 40 years as an educationist, social sector development policy specialist and women’s right activist.

Elected twice to the National Assembly and served twice as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sectors, she has been the member of the boards of prestigious national and international organisations, trusts, advisory councils and educational boards.

She also successfully led the polio eradication initiative across Pakistan from 1994 to 2013 as the prime minister’s focal person for polio.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026