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Dr Muhammad Ali Thalho
Dr. Muhammad Ali Thalho, founder Sindh Doctors’ Ittehad started his political carrier at the tender age of 15. He was elected President of People’s Students Federation Dokri Science College in 1985. He later served as Press Secretary, Senior Vice President and President of Sindh People’s Students Federation, Chandka Medical College (CMC), Larkana.

His ability to socialize, connect with people and influence opinion in a positive way resulted in instant recognition and phenomenal rise in his popularity among fellow doctors. He quickly became a popular student leader and fought tooth and nail to address the challenges facing by student admitted on CM quota, students who unfairly failed their Examination of first professional owing to discrimination, the varied problems of minority students, and the issues troubling students living in hostels.

On his request, Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto granted PKR One Million for the renovation of CMC in 1993. His unparalleled services for the student community guaranteed that he remained Chairman Joint Action Committee of all student wings of political parties throughout his days at the college. For raising his voice against the college administration to resolve the genuine grievances of students, he was officially banned from entering the college for more than a year by the authorities. However, he did not abandon his ideals and continued his struggle from outside the college premises.

Following graduation, he was elected President Chandka Doctors’ Organization. At the same time, he was nominated President People’s Doctors Forum CMC (H) and Member Central Council unopposed. He initiated a campaign to raise the stipend of House Officers in 1995. The movement succeeded after a month of stern protests, hunger strikes and boycotts.

He was appointed Medical Officer on contract basis at the end of 1995 and became the first doctor to be terminated from his position by the Secretary Health after 6 months in May 1996 on the pretext of leading protests for the just release of blocked salaries.

In The Mid of 1996 Contract Doctors Action Committee was formed to resolve the problems facing contract doctors at local level. In February 1997, he created the Sindh Doctors’ Ittehad at provincial level. He was also unanimously nominated Chairman of Contract Doctors Forum Sindh in the meeting of contract doctors at Hyderabad.

His constant struggle brought the challenges faced by doctors under the provincial spotlight within a few months. Due to his selfless, persistent activities in the medical community, Dr. Thalho was elected Senior Vice President of Pakistan Medical Association in 1998 with the highest votes in the District and later became President United Doctors Forum, a joint platform of different medical associations working in District Larkana. .

The same year Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto nominated him as her personal coordinator for student affairs and in-charge of Shaheed Shahnawaz Blood Bank at CMC (H) inaugurated by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto herself. Dr. Thalho ensured that Mohtarma remained updated about the concerns of the country’s doctors more than any other political leader, and she backed the movement at every stage. He was nominated as a candidate of PPPP to contest as Member of Parliament in the general elections of 2002 from PS -41 on special directives of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

Owing to his political popularity, Dr. Thalho remained under pressure from administration and health authorities who served him show cause notices, stopped his salaries, threats of termination of service, arrests to coerce him to soften his righteous protests against discrimination and unjust practices at all levels.

In spite of tight security arrangements and personal risk, Dr. Thalho led a successful sit-in protest at the main gate of Sindh Assembly on 27th August 2003 resulting in the acceptance of a valid demand to regularize the services of doctors by Chief Minister Sindh, Honorable Ali Muhammad Mahar The struggle that started 26th February 1997 ended in August 2003 when the demand to regularize the services of doctors was accepted by Chief Minister Sindh, Honorable Ali Muhammad Mahar who sent his advisor Mr. Ghulam Rasool Unar to end the protest at Karachi Press Club where Dr. Thalho and his peers were on hunger strike, carrying out one of the most prolonged protests in human history. This also marked the record set by Dr. Thalho for being the most prolific leader of any doctors’ organization in the world who headed nearly 1400 hunger strikes and other forms of protest till the deserved doctors won their rights.

He later joined electronic media as anchor, director and producer on Sindh TV, Metro TV, ARY city, ARY Digital and Channel 5. He also served as Editor Shaheed Benazir Magazine. He is presently serving as General Secretary Sindh Foundation (NGO) on provincial health issues and as President Indus History Research Council, on a fact-finding mission uncovering the detailed history of Sindh province.

This world record protest was supported by almost all political parties and civil society in general. It was continuously backed and supported by Pakistan People’s Party and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto personally; MQM Chief Mr. Altaf Hussain personally spoke to and lauded the services of Dr.Thalho on the phone during their hunger strikes at Karachi Press Club in August 1999. Mr. Bashir Khan Qureshi, Mr. Qadir Magsi, Mr. Nisar Khuhro, Mr. Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Mr. Syed Ghous Ali Shah and other prominent personalities supported the movement.

All the documents and press clips supporting the integrity of his profile are contained in the page of chairman's Profile of website www.sdi.com.pk for review by visitors