Two Indian Doctors Chosen for Pakistan’s Highest Civil Honour

Two doctors from Bombay have reportedly been selected posthumously for Pakistan’s prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz for their professional role in treating Muhammad Ali Jinnah and allegedly keeping the seriousness of his illness confidential during the crucial period surrounding Partition. According to the account, their professional commitment and discretion played a significant role at a critical juncture in the creation of Pakistan. The development has drawn attention because the doctors were Indian and their recognition is linked to one of the most significant episodes in the history of the subcontinent.

The account further claims that Jinnah’s serious health condition was not known to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru at the time, with historians suggesting that wider knowledge of his illness could have affected the political calculations surrounding Partition. Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz is a major state honour awarded for outstanding service and is open to both Pakistani and foreign citizens. Historical accounts confirm that several doctors, including Dr M. Ali Mistri and Dr Illahi Bakhsh, were involved in Jinnah’s medical care during his final years, while records also document the secrecy surrounding aspects of his health.