Dow Medical College Students' Union 1945

Dow Medical College Karachi was established on 10th of December 1945. This is the first Dow Medical College Student's Union; It started a tradition that lasted almost 35 years when Dow always had a Students' Union representing the interests of the students to the Administration, Civil Hospital, University of Bombay initially and later University of Karachi and to the Provisional and Federal Government. The Union was elected democratically. It also got involved in National politics when it invited political leaders to address the students. It organized student social and literary functions and graduation ceremonies every year giving awards to the students graduating with distinctions. It fought for establishing amenities like library and cafeterias in the college. It intervened aggressively when there were allegations of sexual harassment against the teachers. It dealt with University when students felt that they were not prepared for the exams or when they had staged a walk out for unfair questions in the exam. They arranged books for deserving students, arranged buses for transportation of students from outlying areas. All this changed when the political atmosphere changed in the country in early 1980's and the Federal Government felt it could no longer risk grass root movements from politically conscious students. Our class of 1977 was lucky to have witnessed every one of these activities of the DMCSU in the 1970's throughout our stay. Note the composition of the Union before Partition. There are only 2 Muslim names. Also note that sports committees dominate and ladies are represented

Dow Medical College — First Annual Magazine

The first annual magazine of Dow Medical College, published in 1950, marked the birth of a tradition that shaped the cultural and academic identity of the institution for decades. This inaugural issue captured student life, faculty perspectives, and the early spirit of a college that had been founded only a few years earlier. The magazine later continued under the well-known title "Dowlite", becoming the primary platform through which students documented achievements, activities, and evolving campus life throughout the 1950s and beyond.

Editorial Board — 1950 Issue

The inaugural magazine featured contributions from early academic figures and pioneering students. Based on the surviving scanned pages, the following individuals were part of the publication leadership:

• Late Lt. Col. A. K. M. Khan — Principal
• Dr. M. A. Basir — President
• Mohd Kamal — Secretary & Editor

Visit by Sir Alexander Fleming

This rare photograph captures the Managing Committee of the Dow Medical College Union with the legendary Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, during his visit to Dow Medical College on 10 April 1951. The moment reflects a remarkable chapter in the institution's early history when global scientific leaders engaged directly with Dow's academic community. Taken in front of the old DMC building, the image showcases faculty members and student representatives seated alongside Sir Alexander Fleming and college leadership. It stands as one of the most iconic photographs from Dow's formative decade.

Committee Members

Sitting L. to R.

• Miss Qaisar Jahan, Clinical Secretary.
• Mr. Mansoor Soomro, Vice President.
• Mr. Mohd. Kamal, General Secretary.
• Miss Naima Daudpota, Ladies' Rep.
• Prof. M. A. Shah, Vice President & Treasurer.
• Sir Alexander Fleming, F. R. S.
• Lt. Col. A. K. M. Khan, President.

Standing L. to R.

• Mr. A. A. Abdullah, Rep. II Year.
• Mr. Qaisar Raouf, Rep. I Year.
• Mr. A. F. Khambati, Rep. V Year.
• Mr. Hassan Brohi, Magazine Secy.
• Mr. Mohd. Sarwar, Debating Secy.
• Mr. Sheikh Hadi Bux, Literary Secy.
• Mr. Sajjad Haider, Gymkhana Secy.

Hunger Strike at Dow Medical College

This page from the Dow Medical College Magazine documents a significant episode of student activism in 1956, when students undertook a continuous hunger strike to press their demands. The images capture student leaders and participants during the protest, reflecting the intensity and discipline of the movement. Contemporary commentary notes the deliberate choice to endure hunger silently, underscoring the moral seriousness with which the students approached their cause. The episode culminated in assurances from Mr. Suharwardy, whose intervention was recorded as decisive, reinforcing the belief among students that their grievances had been acknowledged. This hunger strike stands as an important illustration of Dow Medical College's long tradition of civic engagement and principled student leadership during the formative years of Pakistan

The Medicos' Struggle

This page from the Dow Medical College Magazine captures the scale and resolve of the Medicos' Struggle of 1956, a defining chapter in student-led advocacy at Dow. Faced with unresolved academic and financial concerns—particularly affecting students of limited means—medical students organized mass demonstrations, deputations, and ultimately strikes when other avenues failed. The photographs document organized marches through the streets of Karachi, with students carrying banners demanding fair scholarships and institutional reforms. The movement reflected a disciplined, collective response rooted in social responsibility and moral conviction, reinforcing Dow Medical College's longstanding role as a center of civic consciousness and principled resistance during Pakistan's early years.

Girl Students' Hunger Strike at Dow Medical College

The Girl Students' Hunger Strike of 1957 was a significant episode in the history of Dow Medical College, reflecting organized student advocacy by women at a critical moment in Pakistan's early post-independence period. Female students collectively undertook a hunger strike to press a series of demands, including improved hostel facilities, enhancement of the lending library, reduction of the passing threshold from 60% to 50%, and other academic and welfare-related concerns.

The strike drew national attention and led to the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Marhoom Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, who met with the students on campus. Suhrawardy reassured the striking students and appealed to them to call off the protest. A barrister and prominent politician, he served as Prime Minister from 1956 to 1957 and is regarded as one of Pakistan's founding statesmen.
The accompanying photograph documents women students involved in the strike, including Dr. Ghazala Ansari, Nuzhat Farid-Rehman, Zakia Bayunus, Durre Shahwaar Zuberi, and Humza, capturing a moment of solidarity and resolve. The image stands as a rare visual record of women's collective action within medical education during the 1950s.

This event remains an early and important example of women students asserting their academic and institutional rights at Dow Medical College. Preserved in the DUHS Digital Museum, it highlights both student agency and the engagement of national leadership with campus life during a formative period in the university's history.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Ghazala Ansari (DMC Class of 1960), niece of the then Principal of Dow Medical College, Marhoom Abdul Waheed .

Dow Graduates and Faculty Service — September 1965 War

This record is taken from an article published in an early Dow Medical College publication, which formally recognized the role played by Dow graduates and faculty during the Pakistan–India War of September 1965. The article acknowledged the contribution of medical professionals who served the nation during a period of armed conflict, providing essential medical care and support. The Dow graduates identified in the publication as having served during the 1965 War are:

• (Lt. Coln) Dr. Khwaja Moin Ahmed, M.R.C.P.
• (Major) Dr. Raja Ghulam Asghar F.R.C.S.
• Dr. A. Rauf (Army)
• Dr. Surgeon Commander Baqui F.R.C.S.