Islamabad, 17 Aug, 2023 (GNP): The Islamabad administration is currently in the process of selecting a significant roadway within the federal capital to be renamed in honor of Dr. Ruth Pfau, a distinguished German-Pakistani surgeon renowned for her relentless 55-year commitment to combating leprosy in Pakistan.
As reported by the media, the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has put forth the proposal to designate the road as “Dr. Ruth Pfau Road.” Among Islamabad’s 120 unnamed roads, one will be named after Dr. Ruth Pfau. This initiative aims to pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of Dr. Ruth Pfau.
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Dr. Ruth Pfau, who arrived in Pakistan from Germany in 1961, dedicated 55 years of her life to the battle against leprosy. Her remarkable contributions earned her prestigious accolades, including the Hilal-i-Pakistan, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam, and Sitara awards.
Her tireless efforts led to the establishment of 157 leprosy clinics across Pakistan, offering treatment to a substantial 56,780 patients. The city of Karachi even commemorates her name through the Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College and Hospital. In August 2017, Dr. Pfau was laid to rest with the honor of a state funeral.
In a separate decision in June 2023, the CDA opted to rename the well-known IJP Road in Islamabad as Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road.
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The announcement of renaming the road after Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed elicited a varied response from the online community. While some expressed approval for the gesture of honoring a brave soldier, others raised concerns about potential inconveniences for new commuters and local businesses in the area due to the renaming of a major thoroughfare.
Despite the reservations voiced by the public, the department proceeded with the decision to rename the road, upholding the dedication to honoring Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed’s memory during its official unveiling.
