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Humanity

Living Life After Death

Pakistan faces a severe organ shortage, with thousands of patients dying annually while waiting for transplants.

By Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba | September 2025


The story of Dr. Mehr Afroz, a Karachi-based nephrologist, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After her only son, Sultan Zafar, tragically died in a road accident, she made the extraordinary decision to donate both his kidneys, saving two lives. Her act of courage highlights the life-saving potential of organ donation—a practice that remains underdeveloped in Pakistan due to cultural, religious, and systemic barriers.

Pakistan faces a severe organ shortage, with thousands of patients dying annually while waiting for transplants. Despite having one of the highest rates of living kidney donations (mostly from family members), deceased organ donation remains rare. To bridge this gap, Pakistan must address misconceptions, strengthen legal frameworks, and promote a culture where organ donation is seen as a national and spiritual service.

The current state of organ donation in Pakistan is dismal. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan’s organ donation rate is among the lowest in the world. Dr. Faisal Saud Dar, a leading transplant surgeon at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), states:

“While living donations are common, deceased donations account for less than 5% of all transplants. This is largely due to a lack of awareness, religious concerns, and weak infrastructure for organ procurement.”

The Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) was established in 2007 to regulate transplants, but its impact has been limited. Unlike countries such as Spain and Iran—where deceased donation rates are high due to robust systems and public trust—Pakistan struggles with implementation.

Cultural and religious perspectives are one of the major hurdles in the misconception that organ donation is prohibited in Islam. However, prominent Islamic scholars, including Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, have issued fatwas (religious decrees) permitting it:

“Saving a life is one of the greatest acts in Islam. If a person is brain-dead and their organs can save others, it is not only allowed but encouraged. Despite this, many families refuse donations due to a lack of awareness.

Dr. Rizwan Khan, a bioethicist at Aga Khan University, explains, “People often associate organ retrieval with disrespect to the deceased. We need religious leaders to clarify that donation is an act of sadaqah jariyah (continuous charity).”

Organ transplant laws exist, but are poorly regulated and enforced. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (2010) prohibits commercial organ trade but lacks mechanisms for deceased donation. Dr. Adeel Riaz, a health policy expert, notes, “We need a centralized donor registry, mandatory hospital reporting of brain deaths, and trained transplant coordinators. Without these, even willing donors cannot be matched with recipients.”


Countries like India and Iran have improved donation rates by adopting “presumed consent” (where individuals are considered donors unless they opt out) or incentivizing donations through community recognition. Pakistan could explore similar models.

Stories like Dr. Mehr Afroz’s can shift public perception. Celebrities and influencers can play a pivotal role—as seen in the UK, where campaigns by figures like Simon Cowell boosted donor registrations. Pakistani media should highlight successful transplants, such as Javed, a father who received a heart transplant after a deceased donor’s family agreed, allowing him to see his daughter’s wedding. Sana, a young girl, was saved by a liver donation from an accident victim.

Dr. Sohail Khan, a social activist, suggests, “If mosques, schools, and TV channels start discussing organ donation as a noble act, attitudes will change. We need a national movement, similar to polio eradication campaigns.”

In addition, the health system infrastructure must be improved for organ retrieval and transplantation. Dr. Nasir Luck, a senior hepatologist, emphasized that “most government hospitals lack brain death certification protocols. We need ICUs equipped to maintain organs and trained teams for retrieval.”

Public awareness campaigns should target myth-busting by clarifying that organ donation does not disfigure the body. Engaging ulema to endorse organ donations in sermons. Most importantly, youth engagement is needed to encourage donor pledges at universities.

In a nutshell, there is a dire need for a call to National Action. Pakistan has the potential to save thousands through organ donation, but it requires a multi-faceted approach, including legal reforms, strengthening HOTA’s role, enforcing brain death protocols, and creating a donor registry. Religious endorsement through fatwas and sermons supporting donation is an Islamic duty. Public awareness through media campaigns is needed, along with celebrity endorsements, educational programs, and most importantly, health infrastructure upgrades, including training transplant technicians and equipping hospitals.

Dr. Mehr Afroz’s sacrifice should not remain an isolated act of heroism. By building a culture where organ donation is seen as a national service, Pakistan can turn grief into hope, one life saving another.

As the Quran says:

“Whoever saves a life, it is as if they have saved all of mankind.”(5:32)

It’s time Pakistan embraces this message in practice.

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