On 17 October 1998, a great visionary and patriot, Hakeem Muhammad Saeed, was brutally assassinated in Karachi. Remarkably, this was also the birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817), another great visionary who, like Hakeem Saeed, firmly believed that education could transform the destiny of a nation. Sir Syed established Aligarh Muslim University, while Hakim Saeed laid the foundations of Hamdard University in Karachi, carrying forward the ideals of modern education, merit and intellectual progress.
Inspired by the visions of Sir Syed and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he believed that Pakistan could prosper only through education, honesty, integrity and hard work. After migrating to Pakistan following Partition, he established Hamdard Pakistan in 1948. Its herbal medicines and iconic Rooh Afza became household names. In 1953, he transformed the enterprise into a Waqf, dedicating its resources to public welfare. His greatest legacy includes Madinat-al-Hikmah, a remarkable centre of education, research and learning, reflecting his commitment to healthcare, knowledge and social development. Twenty-eight years after his tragic assassination, his vision and contributions remain deeply relevant. His life exemplified compassion, philanthropy, integrity and selfless service to humanity. Transformation International Society pays tribute to this remarkable son of Pakistan, whose legacy continues through the institutions he established and the generations he inspired. May his mission of education, healing and service to humanity continue to guide Pakistan towards a brighter future.
Hakeem Mohammed Saeed was many personalities rolled into one was an educationist, writer, travel writer, social worker, and a philanthropist. He was a great visionary and an admirer of our younger generation. He was a great thinker and a great social reformer of Pakistan. He was a very well-travelled person who catalogued his travel experiences in writing.
Hakeem Mohammed Saeed was born on 9th January 1920 in Delhi India a breathed his last on 17t October 1998 in Karachi. He spent his life in the service of the nation as a medical researcher author and social worker. He served as governor of Sindh Province from 19 July 1993 until 23 January 1994. Saeed was one of Pakistan’s most prominent medical researchers in the field of Eastern medicine.. Hakeem Muhammad Saeed authored and compiled about 200 books on medicine, philosophy, science, health, religion, natural medicine, literature, social issues, as well as travelogues. In 1981, Saeed became one of the founding members of the World Cultural Council, a nonprofit international organization, based in Mexico. On 17 October 1998, Hakeem Saeed was assassinated by a group of unknown assailants while he was on his way to attend a medical experiment at the Hamdard Laboratories in Karachi. His killing prompted Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif to impose direct federal rule over the Sindh province.
Forefathers of Hakeem Saeed were in the herbal medicines business in India and had established the Hamdard Waqf Laboratories before 1947which today is the largest manufacturer of Unani medicines in the world. Saeed attended the local school in Delhi where he studied Arabic, Persian, Urdu and English and then at the age of 18 was admitted to the University of Delhi in 1938. He obtained a pharmacy degree and a BSc in medicinal chemistry. After his undergraduate education, Saeed joined Hamdard Waqf Laboratories as a junior researcher and participated in herbal quality control while formulating medicines. In 1945, Saeed attended the post-graduate course and obtained a master’s degree in pharmacy from the same institution. Before 1947, Hakeem Saeed was also involved in the Pakistan Movement activities. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Saeed left his hometown with his wife and only daughter. The family settled in Karachi, Sindh Province of West Pakistan. He established Hamdard Laboratories and served as its first director until his death in 1998. In 1952, Saeed travelled to Turkey where he attended the Ankara University and was awarded a PhD degree in pharmacy, then returned to Pakistan to devote his life to medicine research.
In 1985, Hakeem Mohammed Saeed founded Hamdard University, where he served as its first Vice-Chancellor and as a professor. Biggest achievement of his life is the establishment of Madinat-al-Hikmah campus in Karachi. It comprises Hamdard University with such institutes as Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine, Hafiz Muhammad Ilyas Institute of Herbal Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Education & Social Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Management Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Information Technology, Hamdard School of Law, Faculty of Engineering Science & Technology, Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Village School, where poor children are imparted free education including uniform free books and food. Some of the Bait-al-Hikmah (the Library) is also a constituent part of Madinat-al-Hikmah. This is one of the biggest and best-stocked libraries of Pakistan. Hakim Muhammad Saeed Shaheed’s life remains an enduring example of devotion, integrity, and love for Pakistan. His institutions continue his mission of education, healing, and service to humanity. Her daughter Sadia Rashid is now holding the fort and carrying out his mission and ensures that unfinished agenda laid out by Hakim Muhammad Saeed Shaheed is fulfilled in true letter and spirit.
—The writer is Professor of History, based in Islamabad.
