Hamdard Pakistan, founded by Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said in 1948, grew from a modest beginning into an institution. Its purpose extended far beyond medicine or commerce. For Hakim Mohammed Said, the real measure of an institution was its contribution to society. His vision brought together healthcare, knowledge, enterprise and philanthropy around a larger objective: a stronger and more self-reliant Pakistan.
Preserving and Advancing Unani Medicine
At the heart of Hamdard’s journey has been the preservation and advancement of Unani medicine, also known as Greco-Arab medicine.
Hakim Mohammed Said was not only a practitioner but also a strong advocate of Eastern medicine as a field worthy of scholarship, research and wider recognition. Over the course of his distinguished career, he treated millions of patients and earned recognition as a practitioner, scholar and researcher of Eastern medicine. His engagement with international forums, including the World Health Organization’s work on traditional medicine, reflected his belief that traditional knowledge could have a meaningful place in modern healthcare. By the time of his martyrdom in 1998, he had left behind a profound legacy of service, scholarship and advocacy for the advancement of Eastern medicine.
Healthcare as a Service to Humanity
For Hamdard, healthcare has always carried a social responsibility. The establishment of its first Matab in Karachi marked the beginning of a healthcare journey that would eventually reach communities across the country. This philosophy found practical expression in its Matabs, hospitals and free mobile dispensaries, introduced by Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said in 1963 for people with limited access to medical care. The broader idea was simple: healthcare should not be viewed only as a service to those who can afford it, but as a means of serving humanity.
From Enterprise to Philanthropy
Hamdard’s journey demonstrates how enterprise can serve a larger social purpose. Its products, including the iconic Rooh Afza, helped establish Hamdard as a successful Pakistani enterprise with recognition beyond the country. This vision continues to reflect the idea that economic activity can serve as a means of benefiting society while contributing to national development.
Education, Knowledge and Intellectual Development
Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said placed education and the advancement of knowledge at the centre of his vision for Pakistan. His commitment extended beyond healthcare to intellectual development, research and the preparation of future generations.
The establishment of Hamdard University, Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Village School reflects Hamdard’s enduring belief in education as a foundation for a progressive society.
Hamdard’s contribution to intellectual life also found expression through forums such as Hamdard Shura and the Naunehal Assembly, created to encourage informed dialogue and nurture young minds. Through these initiatives, Hamdard seeks to cultivate not only knowledge and learning, but also a sense of responsibility towards society.
A Broader Vision of Self-Reliance
Self-reliance, in the Hamdard philosophy, cannot be reduced to economic independence or the success of Pakistani products. It begins with people who are educated, healthy, skilled, and confident enough to build their own future.
This broader understanding of self-reliance was central to Hakim Mohammed Said’s vision. It brought together healthcare, education, knowledge, research, enterprise and social responsibility as interconnected foundations of national development.
Hamdard’s journey therefore represents more than the growth of an organization; it reflects an idea of Pakistan in which service becomes a means of nation-building and self-reliance begins with investing in people specially our children.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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