President’s Message

Dear Fellow Iqbalians,

Assalam-o-Alaikum, and a very Happy New Year to all Iqbalians and your families.

I am deeply grateful to Allah (SWT) for granting me the opportunity to serve my alma mater as President, AIMCAANA 2026. I am truly humbled by this responsibility and, Insha’Allah, will do my very best to work alongside all of you to achieve meaningful and sustainable goals for our alumni and our institution.

I warmly invite all Iqbalians across the United States to actively participate in this year’s planning and coordination. My 2026 vision is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact. Along with my Executive Committee, I will be working on the following initiatives for the betterment of AIMC and AIMCAANA:

⸻

Girls’ Hostel Expansion – Allama Iqbal Medical College

Currently, the AIMCAANA hostel has only four rooms accommodating 37 female students, which is clearly inadequate. Our plan is to expand the hostel, add more rooms, and improve living facilities, kitchens, and bathrooms so that more students can benefit from a safe, dignified, and supportive environment.

I request your participation and support for this important project. We will be initiating fundraising for this project very soon.

⸻

Autism Center – Jinnah Hospital

With increasing awareness and diagnosis of autism, there is a growing need for structured and specialized services. After discussions with the Principal of AIMC, we have identified available space to establish an Autism Center at AIMC.

We are fortunate to have several Iqbalian psychiatrists in the U.S., including colleagues with a special interest in child psychiatry, who can support this initiative. I will be forming a committee to help plan and implement this important project.

⸻

Student & Residency Loan Program

To support our young physicians coming to the U.S. for residency, I initiated the loan contribution program three years ago. We have already increased the available loan amount to $30,000, and I personally plan to add $20,000, bringing the total to $50,000.

This will allow us to support 25 students with $2,000 each during their residency application process. Alhamdulillah, we have achieved a 99% loan recovery rate, reflecting a strong, transparent, and responsible evaluation process.

I request all Iqbalians to contribute to this loan program so we can help even more young physicians in 2026. I am also in discussions with Continuous Charity to collaborate on interest-free loans.

⸻

APPNA Scholarship Program

AIMCAANA participates in the APPNA Scholarship Program through the main APPNA Scholarship Committee. The endowment fund currently stands at $150,000, and its proceeds are awarded annually to deserving AIMC students who meet established criteria.

⸻

Pediatric Emergency Care – Jinnah Hospital

Dr. Humeraa Qamar, a long-time advocate for modern pediatric emergency care, proposed in 2024 that we engage with ChildLife Foundation, an NGO in Pakistan that establishes and manages state-of-the-art pediatric emergency rooms across major teaching hospitals.

Our goal is to initiate a Pediatric Emergency Care Unit at Jinnah Teaching Hospital in 2026, Insha’Allah.

⸻

Jinnah Institute of Advanced Cardiology – Jinnah Hospital Lahore

Dr. Naeem Tahirkheli has a clear and long-term vision to establish the Institute of Advanced Cardiology for training to physicians working at JHL while delivering high-quality, modern cardiology care to patients.

He is leading this project in collaboration with Jinnah Hospital Lahore and the Punjab Health Department.Executive Committee and I will fully support and work closely with this initiative to help turn this vision into reality, Insha’Allah.

⸻

Cornea Transplant & Ophthalmology Services – Jinnah Hospital Lahore

We are currently in the process of obtaining certification from the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA), along with the necessary approvals to initiate cornea transplantation services and establish a dedicated ophthalmology department at Jinnah Hospital Lahore.

Once regulatory approvals are completed, Insha’Allah, we plan to collaborate closely with the APPNA Cornea Program and initiate structured fundraising efforts to help restore vision and quality of life for countless patients.

⸻

Allama Iqbal Medical University – A Long-Term Vision

My long-term goal and sincere wish is to see Allama Iqbal Medical College elevated to the status of a Medical University, providing greater autonomy, academic growth, and international recognition.

⸻

Upgradation & Digitization of AIMC Library

Dr. Humeraa Qamar’s comprehensive library digitization project was approved by the Board of Directors at the end of 2025. Under my presidency, I will ensure this important project is completed.

⸻

Iqbalian Writers’ Club

I plan to launch an Iqbalian Writers’ Club to promote poetry, prose, and storytelling among our alumni. The club will host online Zoom sessions, share writings digitally, and meet in person during alumni events.

This will be an open and welcoming space for anyone who enjoys writing or reading—no prior experience required. Javaid Akbar, Arif Ahmad, and Mehreen Nawaz have kindly agreed to guide this initiative.

⸻

Membership & Youth Engagement

Our Membership Committee will actively reach out to Iqbalians across the U.S. to strengthen and grow our community, as participation reflects the strength of any democratic organization.

I also extend my sincere thanks to our Young Physicians Committee, whose work in observerships, mock interviews, and mentorship has already supported many young Iqbalians. We plan to expand this impact further in 2026.

⸻

I sincerely request all of you to come forward and play an active role in making these initiatives a reality. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me—I am always available and look forward to working closely with each of you.

Together, with unity, sincerity, and thoughtful planning, we can create a lasting impact for our students, patients, and our beloved alma mater.

JazakAllah Khair,

Fazal Akbar Ali, MDPresident, AIMCAANA 2026