Watch: "Imran bhai contributed" — Wasim Akram appeals for fundraising for Karachi cancer hospital

Amid the central focus on Imran Khan’s current health situation and the ongoing second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s, former left-arm pacer Wasim Akram has appealed for funds to open the new Karachi Cancer Hospital, which will be the third-largest in the country, after Lahore and Peshawar. 

It will be named Shaukat Khanum’s Karachi Hospital, who was the mother of the former captain and prime minister of the country, Imran Khan. She was a private homemaker and passed away from cancer in 1985.

Wasim Akram appears in new appeal video to help complete Shaukat Khanum's Karachi hospital

Akram spoke about how Imran Khan contributed to the foundation of the first cancer hospital in Lahore, which helped in the treatment of the patients. Later, it expanded and saw its second cancer hospital being built in Peshawar.

Watch Wasim Akram's appeal here- 

“I hope you are fine wherever you are. I have brought a very important message, which is the need of the hour. You know, I was with him when Imran bhai contributed to opening the cancer treatment in Lahore, which was once very expensive, and Pakistan lacked that technology, for which the common people were not able to use it.” Akram said in a special video.  

“Later, you guys gave him the confidence, which led to the second hospital opening in Peshawar, while the third is opening now in Karachi, which is over a 20-acre region. I thank DHA for providing the massive place as it’s twice the area of Lahore hospital. There are 47 examination rooms and more than 400 beds.” He added in the same interaction.  

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The former pacer revealed that the final preparation of the third cancer hospital in Karachi is almost done, as he also appealed for the fundraising of the institute from those who live in the country or outside.

“Many patients were not able to fight cancer because of the travel. Now, the Karachi hospital’s preparation is at its final stage, and every Pakistani member who lives in this country and abroad has helped massively. I also went to the Lahore hospital, which I hope nobody needs to go to, but I went there through a very good system. Thank you very much.” Akram addressed in the same video.

How Imran Khan's 1994 vision built Pakistan's first Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore

Imran Khan fulfilled his personal promise by opening the first Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore on December 29, 1994, creating the first specialized and charitable cancer facility of the country, after his mother passed away in 1985.

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Witnessing his mother’s pain and the lack of proper care for the poor people of Pakistan, he was inspired to build the facility to offer them good treatment regardless of wealth. 

Later, the charitable cancer hospital in Lahore was expanded to Peshawar on December 29, 2015, while the third hospital is growing in Karachi and is expected to open towards the end of 2026.