Dr. Iftikhar Peerzada, a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian, was born on December 10, 1974, in Karachi. From a young age, he was deeply influenced by his family’s love and care for animals, fostering in him a profound sympathy and compassion towards them. This early exposure to animal care naturally guided him towards a career in veterinary medicine. He completed his early education at the renowned Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai School in Karachi, where his childhood was filled with joyful memories of playing cricket and spending time with friends. Inspired by his parents’ nurturing attitude towards plants and animals, as well as the humanitarian work of Mr. Edhi, Dr. Iftikhar Peerzada was driven to pursue a career that combined his passion for animals with his desire to contribute positively to society. After graduating from Sindh Agriculture University, he began his veterinary practice in 2001, and today, he continues to make significant contributions to the field through his family-owned clinics and various community initiatives
Personal and Early Life
Early Life and Education:
Fashion Collection: Can you tell me about your early life and childhood in Karachi?
DR. Iftikhar: was born on 10th December 1974 in Karachi, our home was a place where from childhood I observed that animals and pets were taken care of and treated with love and kindness, and proper food was given. So, I developed sympathy love and compassion towards these harmless innocent souls, helping me choose a field of veterinary doctor. Today I feel humbled and blessed to be one.
FC: From which school did you complete your early education?
DR.: I completed my early education at a famous old school Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in Karachi.
FC: Who were your role models growing up, and how did they influence your career path?
DR.: I got my early inspiration from my parents who used to take care of plants, lands, and animals too. That influenced me a lot throughout my life and up till now. By the time I joined the university, at that age I started learning to play music and had fun with friends. But during that time the work of “Mr. Edhi” inspired me a lot too, and that inspiration remained in my mind and life to date, it influenced my career path as I actively participated in friends and fellow gatherings and was motivated towards humane welfare activities. We are also offering scholarships to veterinary students and yearly “Alumni gatherings” to plan further best for the people, who care for animals, and the innocent souls as well. Recently we have organized outreach camps in different parts of Sindh which will be very helpful for the poor kettles, still, I feel so relaxed doing these soulful activities.
Education and Career Choice:
FC: What inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?
DR.: I was born and raised in a family that takes care of sick, disabled, abandoned, and critically ill animals. My father used to practice it religiously and he continues to do so even at the age of his Eighties Mash‘Allah. So being a child I used to play with these innocent, harmless, and helpless souls and got more familiar with their love. At the age of career-building years, I was fully inspired by my father’s passion for innocent souls and I automatically was inclined to decide to adopt the same profession as my fathers, and that is the veterinarian.
FC: Do you know in your early days that you will become a veterinarian?
DR.: My love and interest in animal care led me to become a professional veterinarian.
Professional Life as a Veterinarian
Career Beginnings:
FC: How did you start your career as a veterinarian in Karachi?
DR. After completing my graduation degree from ”Sindh Agriculture University”, I came back to Karachi where our family already owned two pet clinics. I started veterinary practice in 2001 and learned from ongoing veterinary practices. I initiated consultancy services and started attending to visit different fields to cover the surroundings. After some time and with practice I eventually gained the confidence to open my clinic.
FC: What were some of the initial challenges you faced when you first started practicing?
DR.: Initially, at that time, there were already three leading veterinary practitioners within the city with good familiarity and high skills. Being a junior veterinarian it was difficult to take the initiative, but because of the support of learning and practicing at the family-owned clinics, provided me a good opportunity to get involved and take advantage of learning things quickly, also without risking the lives of animals, enabled me to make a space for myself in this field of work.
Advancements and Innovations:
FC: How has veterinary medicine evolved since you started your career?
DR.: Veterinary medicine has evolved a lot, as in the past only a few numbers of pet clinics were available. Pet owner communities were limited and from rural areas, with time awareness increased and common people started raising pets too. Few of them learned it from their relatives living abroad or when they left some pet, those people started taking care of that pet and learned love and attachment bonds. That changed the practice of VM big time. More people started to raise pets and knowledge and practice flourished and more people started joining this field and taking it very seriously. That is a big evolution. Also, would I like to mention the role of the internet here, which evolved and impacted Veterinary medicine a lot, Advantages and disadvantages are included like saving the lives of pets or self-medication and malpractice which becomes life-threatening for the animals and treatment become very difficult as the pet has not been brought to the Vet in the initial stages of the illness, with such deteriorated pet history or sometimes they don’t bother to mention the history, which is full of their blunders such as using the internet as first aid or self-medication being practiced, which are part of the history of that pet. It’s a crime and should be taken seriously with appropriate action, as it is dangerous for animals’ lives. A lot of evolution in VM since the past and nowadays, a lot changed, in a good and bad way.
Veterinary Practices and Advice
Pet Care Awareness in Pakistan:
FC: Do you think people in Pakistan are knowledgeable about how to properly raise a cat or a dog?
DR.: In Pakistan, the people who raise pets regularly, get familiar with the normal and abnormal behaviors and health status of an individual pet, based on species breed. Unfortunately, most of them use social media to learn further about their pets and their illnesses, and reach out to non-professionals for advice, which results in the wrong diagnosis, and thus are unsuccessful in raising their pet professionally. Different diseases grow in the pets’ bodies, some are slow to show and some are fast, then they consult the veterinarians, hence making it difficult for them to save the pet’s life and it is also threatening to their beloved pets. People should increase their awareness and seek professional help as the Internet is not the cure for everything. This kind of self-medication should be highly discouraged.
FC: Do pet owners in Pakistan bring their pets for regular checkups, or do they typically visit the vet only when their pets are ill?
DR.: Regular checkup of pet owners in Pakistan is not a common practice even the humans themselves don’t prefer to visit the doctor when they are living a normal life. For example, a blood culture to check the vitamins needed for the human body a glucose level check, or for high or low B.P (Blood Pressure), which is very unfortunate. Only a few pet owners understand and get educated through veterinarians for visiting pet specialists in routine prevention and immunization of their pets. While the others prefer self-medication. Another dangerous practice that has no checks and balances in Pakistan is over-the-counter sales, it has no prohibition and most pet drugs and other human drugs are freely available, and people use them to treat their pets or humans without awareness of the side effects of these life-threatening drugs, which is very unfortunate indeed, and it is a big dark business of pharmaceuticals in Pakistan which needs regular monitoring and checks by the government.
Advice for Aspiring Pet Owners:
FC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to own a pet in Pakistan?
DR.: For the people of Pakistan who want to own a pet, I will suggest that treat pets as living beings and they are the same and equal as our family members. Treat them with care, love, and respect. It is also mentioned in our religion and it had been in the regular common practices of our Prophet Muhammed S.A.W.W. to take care of these tiny, helpless animals is very important for people without professional support.
“So to understand pet health and care I have written a knowledgeable book “Silent Meow” which is available at all branches of “Pirzada Pet Clinic” and is free of cost. Anyone can collect a copy while visiting the clinics.”
Traveling with Pets:
FC-A: What is the process for traveling with pets in Pakistan?
DR: Pet owners who wish to travel to Pakistan with their pets require an updated health certificate from a veterinarian.
FC-B: Are there any special clearances or certifications required from a veterinarian?
DR.: Pet owners who wish to travel from Pakistan to other parts of the world need;
A- pet passport covers vaccines, preventive treatment for external and internal parasites,
B- Health certificate,
C- rabies test,
D- NOC from government Quarantine department,
E- Jet box.
Family-Owned Clinics:
FC: How many veterinary clinics does your family own in Pakistan?
DR.: Our family owns two pet clinics in Karachi, one is in DHA and the other in Karsaz since the year 1964.
So, all in all we have 2 pet clinics:
- DHA clinic: shop # 1&2, 38C, stadium lane 4, D.H.A phase 5
- Karsaz clinic: shop # 22, Royal apartment KDA Scheme # 1.
Rising Costs of Veterinary Care:
FC: Recently, many new veterinary clinics and hospitals have opened, often with high fees. Do you think this might discourage people from adopting pets due to the high costs of pet care?
DR.: The increase in the number of pet clinics should improve the health and well-being of animals and the pet owners have a vast choice to visit the number of professionals to receive quality treatment. It does affect the adoption of pets as the objectives of some clinics and hospitals are different from others, some pet clinics have specialties and expertise, while few are more focused on business. But still, pet lovers are going to adopt and afford it, as inflation is all over Pakistan and in the world.
Pet Food Availability and Alternatives:
FC: With pet food becoming harder to find and more expensive, what local remedies do you recommend for cat and dog food?
DR.: The best food is fresh and healthy homemade food free from other preservatives. Choose food with vigilance and care while purchasing and they should be bought from an authentic shop or market with good quality raw food materials and a good food reputation. A balanced, fresh, and good diet is a vital part of all beings.
Indeed, I would recommend homemade nutrition which is one of the most important keys to your pet’s health and longevity, A Homemade diet that is safer and healthier than any pet food. Feed a diet that is a safe balance between cooked and raw (not 40% cooked or 60% raw), which is better/safer homemade pet food.
Personal Pet Adoption:
FC: How many pets have you personally adopted?
DR.: I have adopted many pets, and currently, I have two pets.
Career Recommendations for Children:
FC: Would you encourage your children to become veterinarians?
DR.: Yes, I encouraged my children to become vets in Veterinary colleges/Universities, and currently, my two daughters have been admitted and studying doctor in veterinary medicine.
I encouraged my daughters to study D.V.M (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).
Veterinary Education in Sindh:
FC: Why are veterinary colleges and universities located in Interior Sindh rather than in Karachi?
DR.: The concept of veterinary education at the time of the establishment of veterinary institutions was based on the available animal population. The rural communities own and take care of livestock and poultry animals in their agricultural fields. With time the concept of pet ownership increased and the population also increased day by day. In the current scenario, there is a need to establish veterinary institutions in the urban population like Karachi too, which should play a pivotal role in attracting international students as well. There is a lack of veterinary nursing care professionals and the institution should also concentrate on this field as well, which has the potential to provide opportunities in other parts of the world too.
FC: Are there any government or private veterinary colleges in Sindh or other parts of Pakistan?
DR.: There are several degree-providing institutions throughout our country Pakistan, In Sindh, there are two veterinary universities and affiliated public sector institutions providing veterinary education, while in Karachi, the University of Karachi is also offering one of the poultry and livestock management postgraduate programs while one of the private institutions is also providing veterinary education.
Community Involvement and Personal Insights
Community Impact:
FC: How do you contribute to the community in Karachi outside of your professional work?
DR.-A: I am volunteering at Balhreji Homes, where we provide temporary shelter to the people who come for medical treatment in Karachi and support them in identifying the appropriate institution for the best treatment options and supporting them in all the options for survival.
On the other hand, some people are coming to Karachi to explore livelihood options and our association provides them with the best possible options available for them in approaching income-generating options based on their available skills.
B: I do and encourage people to plant a tree for a better environment.
C: Another social work as a veterinarian, we give scholarships to 1 D.V.M student yearly, and give scholarships to needy students studying in veterinary sciences.
D)We also arrange free animal camps and veterinary seminars.
FC: Are there any community projects or initiatives you’re particularly proud of?
DR.: Balhreji Homes is one of the best projects we contributed to for 08 years.
Veterinary Welfare Association is another initiative we have taken for 06 years.
Future Aspirations:
FC: What are your future goals both personally and professionally?
DR.: Professionally first I would like to upgrade our pet clinic to a pet hospital, and on a personal level, I like to see my daughters grow up as good vets and also turn into good human beings at the same time.
FC: How do you envision the future of veterinary medicine in Karachi and beyond?
DR: In the future, I see that veterinary professionals will be brighter and more successful. So, they will flourish more and people will have more knowledge and that will give a boost to the Veterinary profession.
Reflections and Advice
FC: What advice would you give to young aspiring veterinarians and parents?
DR.: I would advise them to work hard and sincerely with animals and be sincere, transparent, and honest in the veterinary profession. The same advice is for parents that they should tell their children to be honest, dedicated, and serious with the profession as well as with the lives of the poor innocent souls who are helpless and depend on veterinary doctors many times.
Message to the Audience:
FC: Is there any message or piece of advice you would like to share with our readers?
DR.: My message to the readers is that try to make this world a better place for fellow beings and all living beings, as much as possible. Peace is my message for all as we need it the most in this world like never before.
