Obituary Note
Lt Gen Prof Mustafa Kamal Akbar passed away at CMH, Rawalpindi on 9 October, 2024 at the age of 85 years. His father Brig Abidali Khan Akbar was an infantry soldier. His grandfather and great grandfather also served in the Armed Forces as Armour soldiers. Gen Akbar was born on 11 February 1938 and graduated MBBS from King Edward Medical College (Now a University), Lahore in 1960, did his DOMS from the University of Punjab, Lahore in 1964. Later in 1970, he qualified his DORCP&S and FRCS from Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland and Edinburgh, respectively. He had a unique honor to serve in all the three forces, the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force as an eminent Ophthalmologist.
Lt Gen Mustafa Kamal Akbar
He served as Professor of Ophthalmology at Army Medical College Rawalpindi and at Armed Forces Medical College (now AFPGMI), Foundation University Medical College Rawalpindi and Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad as Professor and HOD of Ophthalmology Department. He remained as Dean and Chief Coordinator of Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology (PIO), Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Islamabad. His tremendous Contributions as a Principal, Army Medical College Rawalpindi (1996-11997), and as a Surgeon General/ DGMS (IS), (1997-1999) and as Vice President, Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society will be cherished for a longtime to come.
Prof Akbar, by nature, was a touch of class human and a sportsman of Squash and Lawn Tennis. In Tennis, Gen Zia ul Haq (Late) used to be his partner in Rawalpindi. He made a record in blood donations for about 200 times during his lifetime. Gen Akbar was a legendary figure with clean mind, a big heart and an innocent soul. He was noble, humble, lively, candid, straightforward, easily accessible and helpful to anyone without an ego or unnecessary protocol issue. He was a practical man and always a part of the solutions. He was a great philanthropist and a giver. He always used to feel cheerful and happy in giving small gestures to all the persons who may come across him and to help the needy in misery to the utmost.
Prof Akbar was a good storyteller and would create a scene by his oratory skills. He had a wonderful sense of humor and wit. He, indeed, wished to see a smile on faces of all creatures on God’s earth. He did innumerous welfare and service-orientated projects during his tenure as the Principal, Army Medical College and as a Surgeon General, Pakistan Army. Such people with a positive mind, soul and heart have become “ limited edition” on our planet, earth. Sleep well my boss and my friend!
May Almighty Allah bless his soul with eternal peace. (Aameen).
Maj. Gen. (R) Prof. M. Aslam
Vice Chancellor,
City University, Islamabad.
professormaslam@yahoo.com
