Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar’s last surviving son passes away

Dr Tariq was prominent physician, former secretary health

PESHAWAR: Prominent physician Professor Dr Tariq Nishtar, son of late freedom fighter Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar has died after protracted illness. 

His Nimaz-i-Janaza will be offered today at the Ladies Club, University Town, Peshawar at 11 am.He is survived by his widow, a son and three daughters.Dr Tariq Nishtar had done his MRCP, FRCP and FCPS and was also a WHO fellow in cardiology. Along with other noted doctors, he was given the life time award by the Khyber Medical College Peshawar.

Dr Tariq Nishtar started his career in 1966 when he joined Khyber Medical College Peshawar as Assistant Professor of Medicine after qualifying as a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and completing his training in the UK in 1965. He went on to become Professor of Medicine in 1971 and served as Secretary Health, Social Welfare and Population Planning from 1989 to 1991. He retired from service in 1995 but his contribution to the medical profession and medical services go well beyond his government service.

Dr Tariq Nishtar was the first physician to perform renal dialysis in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Lady Reading Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and later the Coronary Care Unit, which were the first in the province. As Health Secretary, he played a role in giving Khyber Dental College, which used to be a department of Khyber Medical College, the status of an independent dental college. He was the first director of Pakistan Medical and Research Council.  He was the founder of the Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) in Khyber Medical College and Frontier Health Foundation and served as managing director of both institutions.

After retirement, Dr. Nishtar served as Chairman of Frontier Red Crescent Society. He also remained member of the Senate of Khyber Medical University and was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus.

Dr Tariq Nishtar was the youngest and last surviving son of Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar. His eldest brother Jamil Nishtar was a renowned banker. His younger brother died at age 29 and was an engineer. 

Retired Army chief General Waheed Kakar, Shaheed police officer Safwat Ghayur and Owais Ghani were the cousins of late Dr Tariq Nishtar. He was married to his cousin Farida Tariq, who is the daughter of Sardar Abdul Ghani, the brother of Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar. She is the eldest sister of Owais Ghani.

His children are consultant cardiologist in the UK, Dr. Salman Nishtar married to Dr. Adeeba Nishtar, Dr Tahira Bilal, Associate Professor Radiology at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar married to Professor Dr. Amir Bilal, Saira Nishtar, Head of Legal Middle East & Africa markets for a multinational company and Saadia Nishtar Elahi who is a dentist and married to Dr. Mehboob Elahi.