The medical and mental health community mourns the loss of Professor Dr. Syed Haroon Ahmed, a stalwart in psychiatry and an ardent advocate for mental health, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 94. His passing follows a prolonged illness after a post-COVID stroke.

His funeral prayers will take place after Friday prayers at Masjid Abubakar Siddiq Bilawal Chowrangi, with burial at 1.5 Korangi Creek graveyard.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anis Haroon, and his children, Nadia, Adnan, and Irfan. His legacy continues through a vast network of mentees and psychiatrists in Pakistan and globally.

Born in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1931, Dr. Ahmed was a visionary from his young age. He founded the Democratic Students Federation in 1950, marking the start of his lifelong commitment to progressive advocacy. After obtaining his MBBS in 1953, he advanced his psychiatric training at Maudsley Hospital in the UK.

Upon his return to Pakistan, Dr. Ahmed significantly shaped the field of psychiatry. As a senior psychiatrist at Jinnah Hospital’s Ward 20, he played a crucial role in the evolution of psychiatric care. He co-founded the Pakistan Psychiatric Society in 1972 and established the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) in 1965, extending mental health care to underserved populations.

In 1995, PAMH launched the Institute of Behavioural Sciences in Karachi, a leading psychiatric facility offering advanced treatment and training. Dr. Ahmed championed community psychiatry with the motto “Mental Health at the Doorstep of the Community.”

Dr. Ahmed was also a passionate advocate for peace and human rights. As President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, he was a vocal opponent of Pakistan’s nuclear armament in 1998 and had a long-standing association with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

One of his most impactful contributions was in mental health law reform. Recognizing the outdated Lunacy Act of 1912, he led efforts to enact the Sindh Mental Health Act of 2013, which provided essential protections for individuals with psychiatric illnesses.

Dr. Ahmed’s life was a beacon of service and justice, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations. His absence leaves a significant void, but his legacy remains a guiding light.