Dr. Shaukat Ali Syed

Professor Dr. Shaukat Ali Syed was one of the founding members and the first head of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). He contributed a great deal to the promotion and development of cardiology in Pakistan and under his leadership, the NICVD made tremendous progress and for many years, it was the only tertiary cardiac centre in the country which attracted cardiac patients from all over Pakistan. He helped recruit an experienced, well trained team of cardiac physicians and surgeons to run and mange, the NICVD providing state of the art cardiac care.

Dr Shaukat Ali was born in 1922 and graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore in 1944 and later had his specialist training in cardiology. He joined army in 1945 and saw active service during World War-II on the Burmese Frontier.  After the creation of Pakistan, his services were placed at the disposal of Pakistan Navy and he was posted at Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS Shifa) where he was in charge of the cardiology ward. Later he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in Pakistan Navy and as Major General in Pakistan Army.

Prof. Syed retired from NICVD after a distinguished service in 1983. He continued to practice for some time but then gave up practice and was leading a quiet life keeping, himself busy in gardening. Prof. Ali Syed was the principal investigator in the landmark study on Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease conducted in Punjab in the early 60s which was extensively cited in the medical literature. He was very quiet, humble, gentleman who was loved by his patients as well as his professional colleagues.

Professor Dr Shaukat Ali Syed, an eminent cardiologist and founder Executive Director of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases  died  of cardiac arrest on Monday March 16, 2015 at the age of ninety two years.  May God Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace?

Prof. Syed was a great man. What we have in the shape of the NICVD is all because of him. Pakistan has lost a dedicated person. He leaved behind a large number of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death. His son Dr Nadir Ali Syed is an eminent Neuro Physician.