Dr. Mohammad Hussain Panjwani

Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Mohammad Hussain Panjwani. He was born in Iran in the year 1940 in an emigrant family that hailed from the Indian province of Gujarat. His father Mohammad Ali Panjwani was an eminent Khoja businessman who had migrated to Iran. After the creation of Pakistan, on grounds of strong affiliation with the Pakistan ideology and movement, the family chose to acquire Pakistani nationality and despite being now fourth generation settlers in Iran, they have retained their loyalty and distinct identity as Pakistanis. The Panjwanis were well known for their socio-educational activities and dedicated services to Pakistani visitors and immigrants in Iran. Dr. Panjwani earned his Doctorate in Development Economics from the University of Tehran. Besides his full time involvement in business, he was a keen scholar who loved to share his knowledge and experience with people. He served as an honorary lecturer in his alma mater in the Department of Economics. He regularly presented papers on contemporary, historical and philosophical aspects of Islam as well as Economics in various academia of the world. His philanthropic activities were unrestricted by geographical boundaries and his commitment to the concept of better education among people can be seen in his multinational efforts including setting up of libraries, scholarships, education centres and schools in Iran, Pakistan and Europe. Dr Panjwani was the main force behind the establishment and development of the Pakistani Community School in Tehran. He served as the first President of the Pak-Iran Friendship Association and worked untiringly for the promotion of better ties and understanding between the people of the two countries. With the objective of enhancing health and education services in Pakistan, he established the Panjwani Charitable Foundation. Just ten days before his demise he laid the foundation stone of the Zainab Panjwani Memorial Hospital in Karachi, a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of his wife. Dr Panjwani passed away on 19th January 1992 due to sudden heart failure.