This year, as Shaukat Khanum Hospitals celebrate 30 years of service, our founder is unable to make an appeal to mark this significant milestone. In his absence, we hope you will continue to support our patients and move us a step closer to opening a new hospital in Karachi.
TO ABSENT FRIENDS
Imran Khan: “On the 29th of December 1994, when the doors of Shaukat Khanum [Memorial Cancer] Hospital opened, it was a feeling of triumph within the country. It was like winning another world cup.”
How did Imran Khan turn his vision of a free cancer hospital in Pakistan into reality? Through the grace of Allah (SWT) and the support of millions who pledged their Zakat and Sadaqah to the mission 30 years ago.
As we celebrate this special anniversary year with you, our valued donors, we reflect on how previous generations poured their heart and soul into establishing a comprehensive healthcare facility in a country without a national health service.
Today, that legacy is carried forward as the battle to save lives continues. This Ramadan, please give generously to support patients in need in Lahore and Peshawar, and ensure the triumph of opening a third hospital in Karachi is felt by all.
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About Imran Khan
Imran Khan’s journey since leading Pakistan to a historic victory at the 1992 Cricket World Cup has been remarkable. His passion for social justice and equality has seen him switch from being a celebrated sportsman to a devoted philanthropist.
His first major step towards this was the establishment of a world-class cancer hospital and research centre in Lahore. This became a national achievement and was a testament to Imran’s commitment to making quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of their financial status. Thanks to his pioneering efforts, free cancer care has been available in Pakistan for 30 years.
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IMRAN KHAN THE EARLY YEARS
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi was born on October 5th, 1952. He was the second eldest of five siblings in his family. His father, Ikramullah Khan Niazi, was a civil engineer and his mother was Shaukat Khanum.
Shaukat Khanum was a woman who was deeply proud of her heritage. Coming from a family of professional athletes and a Sufi Warrior Poet, she instilled self-belief and an iron resolve in her children. Tragically, after a long and agonising battle with cancer, her family lost her in February 1985, at the age of 63.
Imran Khan: “I saw someone that close to me, for two months, in extreme pain. I think only people who have seen cancer patients can know how they suffer. I think that suffering touched me very deeply. It was like a watershed in my life.”
Little did Imran realise that the most painful event in his life would lead to the founding of the first cancer hospital in Pakistan. Today, Shaukat Khanum Hospitals bring hope to millions, providing free treatment to patients with limited means and promoting cancer research in the country.
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IMRAN KHAN THE CRICKETER
Cricket was an obsession for Imran from a young age.
His family had many distinguished players, including two of his cousins, Javed Burki and Majid Khan, who both served as captains of the Pakistani national team. It’s no surprise that Imran was inspired by their example and spent much of his childhood honing his skills. He even continued his passion while studying at the University of Oxford.
After graduating in 1976, Imran began his career as a full-time cricketer, joining Pakistan’s national team. He quickly established himself as an exceptional bowler and all-rounder, and in 1982 he was appointed captain – just like his cousins before him. He achieved his greatest sporting success when he led Pakistan to their first Cricket World Cup victory in 1992.
More than 30 years later, fans of the sport still celebrate his aggressive batting style and accurate fast bowling.
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IMRAN KHAN THE PHILANTHROPIST
Imran Khan: “My biggest prize money in cricket was winning the World Cup in 1992. The total amount was £90,000. I gave all of that to the hospital and 15-20 per cent of my subsequent earnings”. (FT.com)
Imran made his first fundraising appeal for a cancer hospital on November 10th, 1989. It came during a cricket match between Pakistan and India in Lahore and helped kickstart a series of fundraising campaigns that went global.
The idea of a free cancer hospital for the poor was dismissed by most experts, but Imran wasn’t discouraged. Two years later, with the World Cup win under his captaincy, his appeal got the boost it needed.
The response was phenomenal and £1.5 million was collected from enthusiastic well-wishers in just six weeks. Leading by example, Imran donated the entire sum of his World Cup prize money to the project and continued to campaign until construction for the hospital was underway.
From the start, Imran took direct responsibility for fundraising and has remained actively involved in the hospital’s global appeals and awareness initiatives*.
Imran’s other endeavours include the Imran Khan Foundation and Namal Institute (part of Namal Knowledge City), a technical college in Minwali.
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* Although Imran is unable to make an appeal for our hospitals this Ramadan, we hope you will continue supporting our patients and show that we still stand together in the fight against cancer.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
30 years ago, Imran Khan and thousands of early donors defied the experts and transformed cancer care in Pakistan. Today, with two JCI-accredited Shaukat Khanum Hospitals in Lahore and Peshawar, you can build on that success.
This Ramadan, by paying your Zakat with Imran Khan Cancer Appeal, you can help 75% of patients receive free cancer care throughout the year while subsidising the treatment of many others.
By giving Sadaqah Jariyah towards a new hospital in Karachi, you can help bring state-of-the-art cancer treatment to Pakistan’s largest city.
SPONSOR A PATIENT WITH ZAKAT BUILD KARACHI HOSPITAL
