Prof. Nabila Najam Soomro honoured with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz

ISPRM warmly congratulates Prof. Dr Nabila Najam Soomro, Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, who was named a recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in the Pakistan Civil Awards announced on Independence Day, 14 August.

The Sitara-e-Imtiaz, or “Star of Excellence,” is conferred by the President of Pakistan and ranks third in the Order of Imtiaz, the country’s principal series of civilian honours. It recognises individuals who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the national interest or to significant public endeavours — among them medicine, science, the arts and literature. Recipients are announced each year on 14 August, with the investiture ceremony held on Pakistan Day, 23 March.

Pakistan’s first female civilian physiatrist, Prof. Soomro was recognised for establishing the country’s first free civilian multidisciplinary clinical and academic rehabilitation services — work that has extended access to rehabilitation for patients who would otherwise have gone without it, and built academic capacity for the next generation of Pakistani physiatrists.

Her contribution has previously been recognised by ISPRM, and this national honour affirms the growing standing of rehabilitation medicine in Pakistan.