Khala hai magar khali nahin phir bhi
Dil mein daktar sahib ka mission hai
Punam zaroor hain magar be-noor nahin
Aankhon mein meri unka vision hai

Yaad rahein gi ta hayaat baatein unki
Chori aur kamchori se kinara kashi
Apne liye to sab hi jeetay hain magar
Doosron keliye jeena hai asl zindagi

Wo doosron ke masail ko samjhna
Aur talaash karna unke hul
Kum lagat banana phir iss hul ko
Hai yehi action research ka amal

Wo logon ko samjhana ke apnay masail
Karo hul apni madad aap se
Kisi ke aagay na phailao haath
Bacho khairaat kay aazab se

Kaam ko apnay tum zarya banao
Zaat ko apni roz karnay ka bartar
Jo kal thay tum uss say dekhao
Thoraa saa aaj behtar bankar

Asal kaam dunya mein hai gar karna
Karo khoob tum logon ki khidmat
Zamin par pao gay tum izzat o shorat
Aur arshe bareen par tum jannat

Rahan ka tariqa rakho apna saada
Na numaish ho aur na dikhawa
Aik almari mein samajaey jo kuch bhi hai
Zaaid hai gar hai iss ke allaawa

Roshan kar gaye jo shammein Daktar Sahib
Ab hamara kaam hai unhein jalaey rakhna
Unki roshni ko suraj ke muqabil karna
Nazre bud se mukhalif hawaon se bachai rakhna

Goh jism saath nahin ruh to hamaray saath hai
Nek logon ka raha hai yehi asool
Jab bhi gheringi dunya ki wehshatein hamein
Hamari khatir hoga unka nazool

-Akbar Khan
Karachi, October 11, 1999

Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan (1914-1999)

Dr. Sahib has departed for his Heavenly Abode
But His mission lives on
Through his work, through us
His vision lives on

The lamps that he kindled
Will shine on forever
We resolve to carry his torch
In making others’ lives better

His message of selfless service
Hard work, devotion, dedication
Caring for others above self
Sacrifice for the cause of nation

Competence and Honesty
He did always stress
Are sure-fire prerequisites
For eternal success

Lead a simple life
He would always say
Don’t let materialism
Get in your way

Your job is just a tool
For personal development
Every day you must make
In your self – improvement

Dedicate your life
To the service of the needy
Attain contentment through service
Do not become greedy

Diagnose the problem
Plan out your solution
Implement your plan through
Action Research and demonstration

Build your models well
Technically sure and sound
The world will come to you
When no answers are to be found

In times of trouble
When darkness rules the day
Build a ‘khanqah’ of light
To show the way

Do not steal – it is ‘chori’
Do not shirk – it is ‘kamchori’
With competence and honesty
Achieve honor and glory

Admit your mistakes
Document them – do not hide
Carry on your efforts with
Renewed zeal and pride