Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Pakistan to Honour Two Mumbai Doctors for Jinnah’s Secret
Pakistan is giving its highest civilian award to two doctors from Mumbai.
The doctors were members of Mumbai’s Parsi community.
They treated or examined Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had a serious illness.
They did not reveal his illness to others.
Pakistan’s minister says this secrecy was important when Pakistan was being created.
He said that knowing Jinnah was very sick might have changed decisions about Partition.
Reports identified the doctors as Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo.
The awards are announced on Pakistan’s Independence Day and usually presented on Pakistan Day.
Pakistan has nominated two Mumbai Parsi doctors for the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, its highest civilian award.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the doctors kept Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness confidential.
Media reports identified the nominees as physician Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and radiologist Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo.
Iqbal said disclosure of Jinnah’s poor health might have delayed Partition or affected Pakistan’s creation.
The honours are announced on August 14 and traditionally presented at a presidential ceremony on March 23.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal nominated two Mumbai Parsi doctors, reportedly Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo.
- What
- The doctors are being honoured with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for keeping Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness secret.
- When
- The nominations were announced on August 14; the awards are traditionally presented on March 23.
- Where
- The doctors were from Mumbai, formerly referred to as Bombay; the award is a Pakistani honour.
- Why
- Iqbal said revealing Jinnah’s frail health could have delayed Partition and potentially affected Pakistan’s creation.
- Award
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz, described in the articles as Pakistan’s highest civilian award
- Nominees
- Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo, according to media reports
- Community
- Both doctors belonged to Mumbai’s Parsi community
- Secret guarded
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness
- Nominator
- Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who chaired the Awards Committee
- Announcement date
- August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day
- Presentation date
- March 23, Pakistan Day, at a presidential investiture ceremony
