It is often said that the end of one thing is just the beginning of another. For one family bidding farewell to a deceased child and multiple others praying for the survival of an ailing loved one, organ donation can be the delicate thread tying together the distant trajectories of death and life.
In a heart wrenching yet inspiring story emerging from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a 15-year-old boy from Rustam, Mardan became a symbol of hope and humanity after his untimely death. Jawad Khan, critically injured in a road accident, was declared brain-dead days after battling for his life. Jawad’s family decided to donate his organs. The boy's liver, kidneys, eyes, and other organs were transplanted into five critically ill patients, each of whom was given a second chance at life.
“I now feel proud beyond words. My son gave life to five others. This was his final gift to the world. I hope more families will consider donating organs in such circumstances. This is an act of divine compassion,” said his father. Jawad’s uncle, Farhad, echoed a similar sentiment. “I am proud to be Jawad’s uncle. He is now a role model for many others. His short life has left a long-lasting legacy,” he said.
Dr Izharullah, who was part of the surgical team, emphasized how critical the family’s cooperation was during such an emotionally charged time. “It wasn’t easy, but the courage and conviction of Jawad’s family inspired us all. In our society, organ donation awareness is very limited. But stories like Jawad’s can help change that. Nearly 70 per cent of patients who die waiting for organs could be saved if organ donation was more widely accepted and practiced in Pakistan,” opined Dr Izharullah.
Jawad’s story has already sparked a movement. Health Minister Ehtesham Ali told The Express Tribune that Jawad was the first minor in K-P to donate multiple organs after being declared brain dead. “Jawad Khan is no longer among us, but he has written his name in the history of our province with golden words. The Institute of Kidney Diseases Peshawar would be renamed after him. Additionally, the hospital in Rustam, Jawad’s hometown, will be upgraded to a Category-C facility as a tribute,” claimed Ali.
In a region often overshadowed by conflict and crisis, Jawad Khan’s story shines as a beacon of humanity, empathy, and hope. However, this is the only posthumous organ donation case reported from K-P, where despite the stablishment of an Organ Transplant Authority, awareness about organ donation remains limited among the general public.
According to a report published by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Organ Authority, around 300 organ transplant cases have been recorded in the province so far, including liver, kidney, and corneal transplants. The Chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Medical Transplant Regulatory Authority (MTRA) stated that while approximately 1,800 renal (kidney) transplants have been carried out across Pakistan, the actual demand stands at nearly 10,000 cases.
“Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and various European nations have developed a strong culture of organ donation, whereas in Pakistan, a lack of awareness leads not only to high treatment costs but also to an avoidable loss of precious lives. If more people were aware, many lives could be saved and fewer families would be burdened with the cost of expensive transplants,” said the official.
Earlier, in March 2024, the family of Uzair Bin Yaseen from Rawalpindi also donated his organs following brain death. Uzair’s liver was transplanted to two recipients, his pancreas was given to a diabetic patient while his kidneys and corneas were transplanted to four other patients. This marked the first-ever pancreas transplant in Pakistan, saving a total of seven lives and demonstrating the life-saving potential of organ donation.
The Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) was established at the federal level to regulate all transplant-related matters. Similarly, provincial authorities such as the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA) and Sindh Organ Transplant Authority (SOTA) oversee transplant procedures in their respective provinces. In Sindh, institutions like the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Dow University of Health Sciences, and Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences offer free kidney, liver, and other organ transplants.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, SIUT surgeon Dr Bakhsh Ali revealed that only four patients at the institute had received kidneys from cadaveric (deceased) donors, with the first transplant performed in January 1995. “Organ transplantation and posthumous donation remain significant challenges in Pakistan. No central body in Pakistan maintains official statistics on organ transplants, including kidney donations. SIUT’s emergency unit alone sees 20 to 22 kidney failure cases daily, with many patients requiring urgent transplants but receiving only dialysis. Sindh faces multiple challenges when it comes to organ donation. Even though the law permits deceased organ donation, people remain unwilling to register as donors,” said Dr Ali.
It is worth noting that kidney transplant is the most common type of organ transplant in Pakistan, primarily conducted with donations from living blood relatives. Liver transplant, being more complex, is performed at a few specialized centers. In 2023, approximately 1,850 to 2,000 organ transplants were performed across Pakistan, including kidney, liver, and corneal (eye) procedures. It is estimated that Pakistan sees around 1,000 kidney and 500 liver transplants annually, though these numbers are unverified due to gaps in reporting and monitoring.
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act was enacted in 2010, banning the illegal sale and purchase of human organs. Under this law, only close blood relatives or registered donors were permitted to donate organs. However, as a result of the dearth of legal transplant options, the illegal organ trade has emerged as a serious concern for authorities, who have arrested at least 23 organ traffickers nationwide.
Recent years, however, have seen a significant rise in public awareness as well as more organized efforts at the state level. In Punjab, the government, medical institutions, and relevant regulatory authorities are working together to ensure that patients in urgent need of organs receive timely transplants. The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) also issues special identification cards to citizens who consent to organ donation.
In February 2025, the Punjab government announced that five types of transplants-liver, kidney, bone marrow, cornea, cochlear implant-would be offered completely free of charge at both public and private hospitals under the supervision of PHOTA. Currently, 400 individuals have registered as organ donors.
Abdur Rahman, a 28-year-old resident of Lahore, registered as an organ donor eighteen months ago. “Every part of my body is a gift from God, and if after my death any of my organs can give someone else life and health, that too will be a blessing from God," said Rahman.
Despite these critical initiatives, Professor Dr Muhammad Amir Zaman Khan, Director General of PHOTA, pointed out the fact that the success of organ transplantation was ultimately contingent upon the timing of the transplant. “Liver should be transplanted within 12 to 18 hours, kidney within 24 to 48 hours, heart within 4 to 6 hours, lungs within 6 to 8 hours, pancreas within 12 to 18 hours, and intestines within 8 to 16 hours under expert medical supervision,” noted Dr Khan.