SPECIAL REPORTPakistanFeatureThe Murder of a Legend
28th Death Anniversary of Hakim Muhammad Saeed: The Silencing of a Beacon of Knowledge and Service
The Murder of Hakim Muhammad Saeed: An Unforgettable Tragedy in Pakistan’s History
Hakim Muhammad Saeed was among Pakistan’s most distinguished personalities who dedicated their lives to medicine, education, research, writing and humanitarian service. He was not merely a renowned practitioner of traditional medicine but also a scholar, an expert in Unani medicine, a tourist, an author, a social leader and a former Governor of Sindh.
1. Early Life and Migration to Pakistan
Hakim Muhammad Saeed was born on January 9, 1920, in Delhi, British India.
He carried forward his family’s rich intellectual and medical legacy, pursued studies in medicine and migrated to Karachi in 1947, following the establishment of Pakistan. In the newly founded country, he decided to build an institution of his own, relying on his knowledge, determination and limited resources.
2. Establishment of Hamdard and National Services
Hamdard Dawakhana — 1948
Hakim Muhammad Saeed established Hamdard Dawakhana in Karachi in 1948. Over time, Hamdard’s herbal medicines and other products became widely recognised throughout Pakistan. He envisioned the institution not merely as a business enterprise but as a platform for public welfare and humanitarian service.
