Manzar Naqvi
KARACHI: Strong calls have emerged from prominent personalities, civil society members and various segments of the business and media community urging the Government of Pakistan to confer a civil award upon renowned Ayurvedic practitioner Dr. Nasir Saleem Nasaka in recognition of what supporters describe as more than half a century of humanitarian and medical service.
The demand gained renewed momentum during the recent 99th birthday ceremony of Dr. N.S. Nasaka, where a cake-cutting event was arranged by Bismil Arts Council at a higher educational institution in Karachi. Participants at the ceremony, including members of civil society and respected community figures, appealed to the federal government to honour Dr. Nasaka with a national civil award in the year marking the beginning of his 100th year. Speakers described the occasion not merely as a birthday celebration but as a tribute to decades of dedication to healing, compassion and public service.
Among those who have consistently voiced admiration for Dr. Nasaka is legendary cricketer Javed Miandad, who has on multiple occasions praised the free services rendered by the veteran Ayurvedic healer. According to individuals familiar with the matter, Miandad has repeatedly recommended that Dr. Nasaka be granted a civil award to acknowledge what he terms an unparalleled commitment to humanity. Supporters maintain that such recognition would not only honour an individual but also highlight the contributions of traditional medicine practitioners serving underprivileged communities across the country.
Dr. Nasir Saleem Nasaka, widely known as Dr. N.S. Nasaka, is regarded by his followers as one of Karachi’s most prominent Ayurvedic healers. For decades, he has been associated with herbal and traditional medicine, offering treatment to patients suffering from chronic and complex illnesses. His supporters state that his practice has focused on serious conditions including cancer, tumors, diabetes, kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, blood disorders and various skin ailments. Testimonials circulated on social media platforms frequently describe cases where patients claim recovery or improvement after undergoing Ayurvedic regimens under his supervision.
Publicly identifying himself as a Doctor, Herbalist and Oncologist practicing Ayurveda, Dr. Nasaka cites qualifications such as D.A.M.S. and M.D.A.M. with distinction and uses the traditional title of Ayurveda Charya. While his name may not appear in conventional medical registries associated with allopathic medicine, his followers argue that his life’s work represents a parallel system of healing rooted in centuries-old traditions. They emphasize that countless patients who turned to him after exhausting other options found renewed hope through his treatments.
A central element of Dr. Nasaka’s public image is his humanitarian approach. Numerous supporters recount that he has provided free consultations to those unable to afford medical expenses. Videos and public messages attributed to him often include appeals for donations to assist financially struggling patients in obtaining herbal medicines. Advocates claim that this philanthropic dimension of his work sets him apart, portraying him as a healer motivated not by profit but by service. Business community leaders and journalists who have interacted with him describe him as accessible and committed to assisting the economically marginalized.
Over the years, Dr. Nasaka has also appeared in media interviews discussing his methods and sharing patient experiences. Opinion writers and community commentators have periodically suggested that his decades-long service warrants official recognition at the national level. Supporters argue that civil awards are meant to honour individuals who have made sustained contributions to society, and they contend that Dr. Nasaka’s lifetime of service aligns with that spirit.
At the birthday ceremony marking his 99 years and the commencement of his 100th year, speakers highlighted that the centennial milestone presents what they described as a historic opportunity for the state to acknowledge his services. Participants collectively urged the Government of Pakistan to include his name in this year’s list of civil award recipients. They maintained that honouring him would not only celebrate an individual healer but also recognize the cultural and historical significance of traditional medicine within Pakistan’s diverse healthcare landscape.
While alternative medicine practitioners often face debate regarding scientific validation, Dr. Nasaka’s supporters insist that public trust and the lived experiences of patients stand as a powerful testament to his impact. They believe that recognition through a civil award would symbolize respect for humanitarian dedication regardless of medical school of thought.
As the nation approaches another cycle of civil award announcements, voices from sports, media, business and civil society continue to call upon authorities to consider Dr. Nasir Saleem Nasaka’s name. For his admirers, the centenary of his birth represents not merely a milestone in years but a celebration of resilience, service and compassion that they believe deserves formal acknowledgement at the highest level of the state.
